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HISTORY 



OF THE 



FIRST REGIMENT 



OF 



Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry 



GREAT WAR OF THE REBELLION, 

WITH THE ARMIES OF THE OHIO AND CUMBERLAND, 

UNDER GENERALS MORGAN, ROSECRANS, 

THOMAS, STANLEY AND WILSON. 

1S62-1865. 



BY 

W. R. CARTER, 

COMPANY C. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



KNOXVILI.K, TENN.: 

GAUr-OGDEN CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 

1902. 



\ 



n^ 



THE LIBHArtY 0F| 
CONGHESU, 1 

WOV, ;>ij t9fj9 

-*IW ^^'j^ No. 



corv 13. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1896, by 

W. R. CARTER, 

in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



W 



-3^ 



\cX 



TO THE SURVIVING 

MEMBERS OF THE FIRST 

TENNESSEE CAVALRY; TO THE MEMORY 

OF OUR DECEASED COMRADES AND THEIR 

kindred; TO THE MARTYRED PATRIOTS OF 

east tennessee who died on the gallows and in 
prison, and to the loyal and patriotic peo- 
ple who sympathized with them, this 
volume is respectfully dedicated, 
in fraternity, charity 
and loyalty, by 

The Author. 



PREFACE. 



As the years go by and age creeps upon the soldier, he 
delights in telling those about him how he fought and suf- 
fered for his country when it was in danger. One of the 
reasons for writing a history of the First Tennessee Cavalry 
is to hand down to posterity the many gallant and heroic 
deeds performed by it. I was urged by my comrades to 
undertake the work, realizing, however, that it would require 
time, patience and plenty of hard work before the completion 
of the history. The Adjutant-General's Report of the State 
and War Diaries had to be consulted and the matter put in 
shape for publication. But, after a year of hard, faithful 
work, the author is able to furnish a history of the regiment, 
in which are recorded the many valiant deeds performed by 
it in the sixties. 

The author has endeavored to give a fair and impartial 
account of all the doings of the regiment from 1862 to 1865. 
He does not claim that his regiment put down the rebellion, 
or did all the fighting and none of the running. But one 
thing the author dwells upon, and that is, the regiment per- 
formed its duty well, and no order was ever given to it that 
was not promptly executed. Its battles and large death-roll 
are evidence of faithful service. 

The author has not attempted to go beyond the services 
of his own regiment in the preparation of this work, only 
so far as the movements of other troops with whom it served 
mention is made for the purpose of conveying to the 
reader an intelligent idea of the arduous duty performed by 
the regiment. 



6 PREFACE. 

I do not claim that the work is entirely free from errors, 
as that would be impossible, it being: over thirty-seven years 
since the last hostile gun was fired, and during^ that time 
much valuable information has been lost. But errors are 
found in all histories. 

The roster is in the main correct, as the author at the 
very beginning' decided that every name that appeared upon 
the rolls of the regiment should be given and, as far as 
possible, the postoffice address. The chief object has been 
to tell what the First Tennessee Cavalry did, and how they 
did it. The facts contained in this volume will no doubt shed 
some new light on and answer as a reminder of the very 
honorable part the regiment took in that great struggle. 

The author acknowledges and tenders his thanks to 
those who so cheerfully and kindly assisted him in the prep- 
aration of this work. 

This is a history of wdiat one regiment did, and not of 
the army, and is a plain recital of facts that happened back 
in the sixties. Neither does the author attempt to describe 
the movements of the army. That has already been done 
by other historians. 

To some it may appear that the author has been too 
modest, that he has not "bio wed his own horn" enough ; but 
he will let others judge. The author has not attempted to 
rob other regiments of their glory or honor won upon the 
battlefield. 

The Author. 

Knoxville, Tennessee, July 25, 1902. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

East Tennksske Unionist — Organization of the Regiment — 
The First Camp — Drills and Parades — Ordered to the 
Front — Nigpit Marches — First Alarm — Organization op 
THE Seventh Division 1 1 

CHAPTER n. 

Cumberland Gap — Morgan's Campaign — The Stronghold 
Falls — Operations Around the Gap — Hard Service and 
Short Rations 29 

CHAPTER HI. 

Morgan's Famous Retreat — Fatiguing March — Harrassed by 
THE Enemy — Marching Under Dipficulties — Camp Liee 
on the Ohio — Camp Dennison in 1862 46 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Fourth Tennessee Mounted — Muskets to Carbines — In- 
cidents AT Cam? Dennison — Ordered to Murfreesroro — 
First Saber Charge — Half in Hospitals — Colonel John- 
son Resigns — Re-Oganization of the Cavalry — Brown- 
low Wears the Eagle 59 

CHAPTER V. 

TuLLAHOMA Campaign — The Advance — Guy's Gap — Ten 
Thousand Cavalry on a Wild Charge — Wheeler Forced 
TO Swim Duck River — Bragg Leaves Tennessee — His- 
toric Camp — Movements op the Cavalry — Concentration 
AT Stevenson — Preparing for an Advance 74 

CHAPTER VI. 

Advance of the Army — Climbing Mountains — Scenery Above 
TPiE Clouds — Daring Move of the First Tennessee — Lost 
IN a Mountain — Bloody Chickamauga — Two Days on 
THE Field — Crawfish Spring — On the Move — Watching 
Wheeler 85 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Wiii'.ixkr'ip Crkat Raii>— I,argiv Waoon Train Burnkd — The 
Pursuit — Winciikstkr — Ordkred to East Ti-nnksskk — 
Fighting Busiiwhacki'rs — LiKuT. Bowman Attacked 
NEAR SrAuTA — His Soldiers Kiei.eo aeter Surrendering — 
Take no Prisoners — I^rowni.ow Quiets the "Guerh.las" ioo 

CHAPTl'.R \lir. 

East Tennessee Campaign — Ci.imiunc. the Cumberland — The 
First Tennessee at Homv:— A Lively Set-to at Dandrdige. 
A Brilliant Charge — The Saher Freely Used — Christ- 
mas Eve in Camp. 112 

CHAPTER IX. 

How CuKisTMAS Was Spent — Battle oe Mossy Creek — Death 
oi" Captmn Cannon and Lieutenant Cox — A Gallant 
Charge — Indian Fighting in the Mountains— Capturing 
A Wagon Tr a 1 n i .26 

ciiapti-:r X. 

BA'rrLE OF Fair Garden— Capture of Colonel Brownlow — He 
Bribes the Guard and Makes His Escape — Back to the 
Army of the Cumberland — Camp Life at Cleveland — 
WiiKELER Attempts to Capttuk tuk Ri:c.imi:nt 138 

CHAPTER XI. 

The Atlanta Campaign — From Cleveland to Pine Mountain. 
— Dug Gap and Tilton— Across the Coosawaitee and 
Etowah — Soliuerinc^. under Difficulties — Burnt Hick- 
ory — Brownlow s 1 lu.i 150 

CIl APTl'R XI 1. 

Atlanta Campaign Continued — Operations Around Pine 
Mountain — Advance on the Kennesaw Line — Assault 
AND Flank Movement— Daring Feat of the First Ten- 

ESSEE AT THE Cll ATTA IlOOOIlKi; — P.UOWNI.OW'S NaKED ChARGE 164 

CHAPTER XHl. 
Raid lelow Atlanta — Great Destruction of Property — Death 
of Lieut. Roberts— Brownlow. Refuses to Surrender- 
Cuts THE Lines— A Race for Life— Swimming the Chat- 
tahoochee — Hardships of the Men 176 



CONTENTS. 9 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Ordkki'I) to Nasiivii.lk — Whkkf.Kk's Raio — Sn.\Kr FioirriNO — 
Colonel Brownlow Woundkd — Whi'ICler Driven Across 
THE Tennessee — Forrest Returns hut Meets the Same 
FxVTE — The Daring Raider Forced to Fight — Fighting 
Bushwhackers — Liee along the Tennessee i8B 

CHAPTER XV. 

Hood Crosses the Tennessee — Race with Schoeikld — Hatch 
Flogs Forrest at CAMrnELLSviLLE — Wilson at Duck 
River — Night Makcii to Franklin — Preparation eor 
Rattle 201 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Battle oe Franklin — Hood Assaults the Union Lines — Re- 
ruLSEfi WITH Gre-\t Slaughter — PIis Loss in Oeeicers Un- 
EQUALED in the War — Desperate Fighting — General 
Stanley Wounded — Schoeielu Withdraws in the Night. 
Safe in Nashville 213 

CHAPTER XVII. 
1'>attle 01' Nashville — A Great Union Victory — Tiiic Great 
Cavalry Battle of the West — Wilson's Cavalry Cap- 
turing Forts — Hood's Army Wrecked — The Defeat and 
Rout — Captl'rini; Prisoners and Guns — The Pi'rsuit.... 225 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Pursuit Continued — Engagement at Lynnville — Christ- 
mas Eve — Pursuit Ended — Ordered to Waterloo — Winter 
Quarters — The Move into Mississippi — Return to the 
Old Camp 239 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Relieved at the Front — Ordered to Nashville — The Surren- 
der of Lee — Great Ricjoicing in Camp — The War Ended. 
— Preparing for Muster-Out — Relhcved of Duty 253 

CHAPTER XX. 
Closing Scenes — Under the Tattered Flag — Mustered Out. 
Farewell Greeting — Return Home — Recepi'ion r.\- the 
Loyal People 264 

Roster, Record and Postoffice Address 269 

Roll of Honor 332 

Recapitulation 333 



History of First Regiment 

Tennessee Volunteer 

Cavalry. 



CHAPTER I. 

EAvST TENNESSrClv UNIONIST — ORGANIZATION 01- THE REGI- 
MENT — EIRST CAMP — DRIEES AND PARADE — ORDERED TO 
THE FRONT — ElRST ALARM — ORGANIZATION OF THE 
SEVENTH DIVISION — NIGHT MARCHES. 

When the reverhcrations of Sumter's ^'uns came sweep- 
ing' across the valleys antl the mountains the loyal people 
from all parts of the Lhiion thronged to the field to assist 
in protecting the inheritance hequeathed to them by their 
forefathers. 

They were so patriotic and eager to enlist that for the 
time being they even forgot the luxuries, pleasures, and com- 
forts of their homes. In no part of the country did this das- 
tardly act arouse a greater feeling of patriotism than was 
manifested in East Tennessee. It brought thinking" people 
to a full realization of a stern duty that awaited every true 
patriot. The whole country was wild with excitement, as a 
terrible war seemed inevitable. 

When the President called for men to put on the har- 
ness of war he designated no particular class of people. Men 
came from the farm, shop, store, office, yes and even the pro- 
fessional man was seen to enter the ranks. All classes were 
represented in the great and growing army that soon rivaled 
that of Napoleon I. 



12 HISTORY OF riKST RKGIMKNT 

History affords no parallel to the universal and hearty 
response made by the loyal men of the nation to the support 
of the government in the g;reat Civil War l)ctwccn the North 
and South. The bombardment and fall of Fort Sumter 
threw the whole Coventry into threat excitement. Immediately 
after this noted event President Lincoln called for seventy- 
live tJKnisand volunteers for the suppression of the rebelHon. 
Tennessee's ([uota was two re.c^imcnts, and at that time if the 
loyal and patriotic people of East Tennessee had been given 
an opportunity to respond to this call, ten regiments could 
have been furnished from this division of the State. 

The inhabitants of this section were mostly Whigs and 
the descendants of frontiersmen and Indian fighters. They 
were full of patriotism and had been taught from childhood 
to resent an insult, and especially one to the flag of their 
country, the emblem of liberty. They were trained also to 
the use of the rifle, consequently were excellent marksmen. 
They were the direct descendants of the brave men who 
fought at and destroyed Furgeson's army at King's Moun- 
tain, and Packenham at New Orleans. It was therefore not 
unnatural that they should be aroused by this great insult to 
their country's ilag and the great shock that this event pro- 
duced, when the news was flashed across the country that 
Fort Sumter had been fired upon. 

In no part of the country had the people been more loyal 
than here in l^ast Tennessee. In every war since Tennessee 
became a State we find her sons ready and willing to go forth 
and die if need be for the old fiag. We make the modest 
claim that in no part of the country was there manifested 
greater indignation at this treasonable act, and a greater 
determination to resent the insult to the nation, than here in 
East Tennessee. 

They s]">rang to the "call to arms" like their forefathers 
and poured oui their blood for the preservation of the Union. 
No one can forget the great excitement this event produced 
and the enthusiasm of the loyal people of the United States 
to stand bv the government in the dark davs of 1861. 



TKNNKSSEF, VOI.UNTF.KR CAVALRY. 13 

The same patriotic spirit that had always characterized 
Tennessee in former wars in coming to the defense of the 
old Hag now manifested itself again. In the war with Mex- 
ico it is said that the spirit for volunteering was such that it 
became a question not as to who must go, but who may go. 

I'he following telegram was sent by the Secretary of 
War to the Governor of Temiessee : 

War DKi'AKTMKNT, Washington, April 15, 1S61. 
To His Excellency, Ishani 0. Harris, Governor of Tennessee: 

Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of militia 
for immediate service. Simon CamCRON, 

Secretary of Jl'ar. 

Governor Harris was absent when the call came, but on 
his return sent the following answer : 

]^\ncuTivi; Di;i>artmi:nt, Nashville, Tennessee, April 17, i86r. 
Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th inst, informing me that Ten- 
nessee is called upon for two regiments of militia for immediate ser- 
vice, is received. Tennessee will not furnish a single man for the 
purpose of coercion, but 50,000 if necessary for the defense of our 
rights and those of our Southern brothers. 

ISHAM G. Harris, 
Governor of Tennessee. 

Tennessee was at that time one of the States of the 
Union, and the Secretary of War had a right to call upon 
Tennessee for troops. Tennessee had always been very 
patriotic, and the readiness with which it had always re- 
sponded to the calls and came to the defense of the country, 
when threatened either by a foreign or a savage foe, had won 
for it the name of "The Volunteer State." 

It was one of Tennessee's grand and patriotic citizens, 
as well as soldier, who exclaimed, "The Union ! It nnist and 
shall be preserved !" This was the iron man who led his 
Tennessee riflemen to victory at New Orleans, defeating the 
flower of the English army. 

The Eastern division of the State was strongly Whig, 
and when war threatejied the destruction and dismember- 
ment of the Union this element took a strong and decided 



14 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

stand ac;ainst secession. This division of the State was also 
full of brave and j^atriotic leaders, and no people were more 
true and devoted to them than the Union men of East Ten- 
nessee. Amonp: them we find such patriots as Rev. W. G. 
Brownlow, O. P. Temple, Horace Maynard, Andrew John- 
son, John M. Fleming. Samuel Pickens, T. A. R. Nelson, 
Rev. W. I'.. Carter, and a host of others who risked their 
lives and their property that the honor and reputation of 
"The Volunteer State" mi£2:ht not £:^o down in sliamc and dis- 
honor at this perilous moment. 

The followiny; is a ])ortion of a lonf^ series of resolu- 
tions passed by one of the many conventions held l)y the 
Unionists of Kast Tennessee : 

"That the Legislature of the State, without having first obtained 
the consent of the people, had no authority to enter into a 'military 
league" with the Confederate States against the general government, 
and by so doing to put the State of Tennessee in hostile array against 
the government of which it was, and still is, a member. Such legis- 
lation in advance of the expressed will of the people to change their 
governmental relation was an act of usurpation and should be visited 
with the severest condemnation of the people. Resolved, further : 
That the action of our State Legislature in passing the so-called 
'Declaration of Independence,' and in forming the military league 
with the Confederate States, and in adopting other acts looking to a 
separation of the State of Tennessee from the government of the 
United States, is unconstitutional and illegal, and therefore not bind- 
ini> upon us as loyal citizens." * * * 

In the meantime, Isham G. Harris and other leaders 
tried to sell Tennessee "lock, stock and barrel" to Jeff Davis 
& Co. .Jhey attempted to make the Union people believe 
that the State had seceded because a partisan Legislature 
had secretly passed ordinances of secession. The loyal peo- 
ple of East Tennessee remained true to the Union, and Gov- 
ernor Harris, finding that he was unable to subdue these 
liberty-loving people, sent armed troops into East Teimessee, 
with orders to disarm the Union people. In the enforcement 
of this tyrannical order no Union man was allowed to escape 
search, and if arms were found in his possession they were 
taken. 



TKNNKSSF.r; N'OLUNTKKR C.-WALRY. 15 

As the clouds of war "tcw darker, and the thunder from 
the battlefields pealed louder, these East Tennessee Unionists 
became more bitter and defiant. Twiggs had traitorously 
turned over all government property placed in his charge to 
the so-called Confederate government, consisting of arms, 
stores and ammunition. The loyal people of East Tennessee 
did not approve of such a course and determined never to 
submit to this attempt to take away their liberty, destroy the 
government and fasten the yoke of slavery upon them. 

There were numerous conflicts between the loyal sons 
of East Tennessee and the armed Confederates in the execu- 
tion of the order, and often a hearty reception would be given 
them and a variety of keepsakes and reminders in the nature 
of wounds, bullets and buckshot. 

Armed bands of the enemy roamed over the country, 
pilfering, robbing and murdering peaceful citizens. Martial 
law was declared in East Tennessee; provost-marshals and 
enrolling officers were appointed in every town and county, 
and these were composed usually of the bitterest and most 
oppressive men in the Confederacy. 

Colonel W. B. Wood, Sixteenth Alabama, commanding 
the post at Knoxville in the fall of 1861, wrote to Adjutant- 
General Cooper at Richmond as follows : "Five hundred 
Union men are now threatening Strawberry Plains, fifteen 
hundred are assembling in Hamilton county, and there is a 
general uprising in all the counties. The whole country is 
now in a state of rebellion and the mountaineers will whip 
ZoUicoffer as soon as they get ammunition." 

Then came the destruction of the bridges along the East 
Tennessee & Virginia railroad, one of the main lines con- 
necting Richmond and the Gulf States. This was followed 
by the execution of Henry Fry and J. M. Plensie at Greene- 
ville, C. A. Hawn, Jacob Harmon and his son Henry at 
Knoxville. The charge against these men was bridge-burn- 
ing, yet there was no positive proof that any of them had 
burned or attempted to burn a bridge. Hundreds of promi- 
nent citizens were arrested on some "trumped-up charge" 



16 HISTORY ()!■ riRST REGIMENT 

and sent south to Tuskaloosa, Ala., a prison well known to 
the loyal people of East Tennessee, where, hy cruel and in- 
human treatment, scores died. 

Among^ those sent from East Tennessee were Hon. 
Montgomery Thornburgh, attorney-general of his judicial 
circuit ; Hon. Sanuicl Pickens, state senator, and Hon. Levi 
Trcwhitt, a very old man and a well-known lawyer. To add 
further insult to these loyal and patriotic citizens they were 
sent south in filthy stock-cars. Among those who died in 
this prison was Attorney-General Thornburgh. Dr. William 
Hunt and Hon. Levi Trewhitt died from cruel treatment. 

The jail at Knoxvillc was full to overflowing with Union 
men. Ministers who dared to pray for the success of the 
Union army, or for the preservation of the government, were 
arrested and thrown into prison. 

The loyalty of these mountain people to the old flag was 
a menace to the Confederates and the cause of much bitter- 
ness. Every able-bodied man under the age of forty-five . 
was required to go into the rebel army, and the Union men 
who had remained at home up to this time began to drop 
out of sight. Pilots or guides, as they were called, w^ere in 
great demand to take these loyal men be3'ond the lines. The 
secret means of escape to the L^nion lines was termed "The 
Underground Railroad," and the secret method of communi- 
cation, "The Grape-vine Telegraph." 

Jn the meantime the East Tennessee & \'irginia railroad 
was kept busy transporting troops from the South to Vir- 
ginia. This was witnessed by the loyal people with a strong 
feeling of dissatisfaction, and in order to put a stop to it they 
planned the destruction of the bridges. In the attempt to 
destroy the bridge at Strawberry Plains there was a consid- 
erable fight between the guard and th.e Union men, in which 
both sides had men wounded. 

These outbreaks created great excitement and alarm, 
and were committed, not in the spirit of wanton destruction, 
but of real war upon an enemy and for the sole purpose of 
interrupting the military communications of the Gulf States • 




h \ 



COLONEI. KOI'.KKT JOHNSON 



TKNNF.SSEE VOIA'NTF.KR CAVALRV. 17 

with Richmond and of cnabhnj:^ the Union army to enter 
East Tennessee. 

Martial law was declared in Knoxville and Union peo- 
ple's houses were arbitrarily entered nij^ht and day by the 
soldiers, who demanded their arms and ammunition. This 
attempt to disarm the people was denounced, as they doub'xd 
the ri,qht to take away their arms, as they were looked upon 
as a household necessity. 

Shortly after the election on the 8th of June a mass- 
meetint:: of the l^nion people was called to meet at Straw- 
berry Plains, seventeen miles northeast of Knoxville, to con- 
demn the action of Governor Harris in declarin^^ the State 
out of the Union, contrary to the voice of its ciualified voters. 
The meeting was largely attended and was held in a grove a 
short distance east of the village, near the railroad. During 
the progress of the meeting a regiment of "Louisiana Tigers" 
passed by on the cars. They had been notified of the meet- 
ing before leaving the station, and under a full head of steam 
and with loaded muskets on they came. When opposite the 
place where these patriots were quietly discussing the action 
of Governor Harris they opened fire. This fire was promptly 
met with volleys from all kinds of firearms and a rush for 
the train. Several men who were near the track attempted 
to wreck the train by placing cross-ties on the rails. There 
were no casualties on the Union side, and as the train kept 
moving there was no means of knowing whether any of the 
"Tigers" were hurt or not, but the sides of the cars were per- 
forated with bullets. 

The nearest point to the Union camps was in the State 
of Kentucky, and to reach them the mountains and a hostile 
enemy must be passed. The vigilant foe kept every gap well 
guarded, and capture meant death or long confinement in 
some loathsome prison. Those who are familiar with the 
topography of the country between Tennessee and Kentucky 
will remember that Cumberland Mountain is well flanked 
with hills and ridges, all of which must be crossed in passing 
from one State to the other. But with all their watchfulness 



18 HISTORY or FIRST RIvCIMKNT 

and the danglers incident to such an undertaking, thousands 
left their homes, made their way safely across the cold and 
cheerless mountains, reached the Union camps and enlisted 
in the army, shedding their blood in defense of the old flag. 

The most of these long and dangerous marches were 
made b)- night, to better escape the watchful eye of the 
enemy. These midnight tramps were made in companies of 
fifty to one hundred, and even larger numbers were safely 
taken through the lines. It was no uncommon thing for 
pitched battles to occur between these East Tennessee Union- 
ists and the Confederates. The majority of these expedi- 
tions were successful, but a few were disastrous. The Union 
people of East Tennessee believed that when their liberty 
was taken from them there was nothing left worth living for. 
and. in the language of Patrick Henry, it was "Give me lib- 
erty or give me death." 

The greatest secrecy was required in making these trips, 
and all loud and boisterous talking had to be repressed. 
But when the i^oint was reached where it was safe to give 
expression to pent-up feelings the men would break forth 
in loud huzzas, singing as they marched along. "We are com- 
ing. Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more." It 
is rather a remarkable fact that East Tennessee in i86i, with 
a male ])opulation of forty-five thousand between the ages 
of twenty and fifty, should furnish for the Union army 
thirty-five thousand volunteers — not a conscript among 
them — besides hundreds that enlisted in Kentucky, Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois regiments, for which Tennessee received 
no credit. 

Tennessee was the last State to "seceed," or more truth- 
fully speaking, "forced out of the Union," and this act was 
not a voluntary one, but was accomplished by force of arms. 
This shameful act occurred on the 8th day of June, 1861, 
almost two months after Fort Sumter had been fired upon. 
Rev. N. G. Taylor, a Bell elector on the Presidential ticket 
in i860, made use of the following strong language in a 
speech delivered in Knoxville : "The people of East Tennes- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 19 

see are determined to maintain the Union by force of arms 
against any movement from the South throughout their re- 
gion of country to assail the government at Washington with 
violence, and that the Secessionists of the cotton States, in 
attempting to carry out their nefarious designs to destroy the 
Republic, would have to march over my dead body and the 
dead bodies of thousands of East Tennessee mountaineers 
slain in battle." 

In August, 1861, Colonel R. K. Bird, of Roane county, 
organized the First Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers at 
Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. The following Septem- 
ber the Second Regiment Tennessee Volunteers was organ- 
ized at the same camp by Colonel J. P. T. Carter, of Carter 
county. In February, 1862, Colonel L. C. Houk, of Ander- 
son county, organized the Third Tennessee Volunteers at 
Flat Lick, Kentucky. In March, Colonel Robert Johnson, 
of Greeneville, organized the Fourth Regiment Tennessee 
Volunteers at Camp Garber, Kentucky. The following 
November the regiment was mounted and equipped for the 
cavalry service and was mustered as the First Tennessee 
Cavalry. Camp Garber is about one mile northwest of Flat 
Lick, on the main road leading from Barboursville to Cum- 
berland Gap. 

The men composing the regiment were principally from 
the counties of Bradley, Knox, Union, Grainger, Jefferson, 
Greene, Hawkins and Hancock. Colonel Johnson's paternal 
notoriety made him quite popular and influential. His 
father, Andrew Johnson, when the war broke out, bore the 
proud distinction of being the only Southern Senator who 
retained his seat in the Senate after his State had seceded. 
Colonel Johnson was authorized by E. M. Stanton, Secre- 
tary of War, to recruit a cavalry regiment, but from some 
cause the government did not arm and equip it for that 
branch of the service at the time of its organization. 

Being the fourth regiment organized from the State, 
"Number 4" was assigned to it and entered of record, and 
up to November was known as the Fourth Tennessee Volun- 



20 HISTORY OF FIRST RI'XIMKXT 

tecrs. Recruits came in rapidly, it then lieinj^ understood 

that the regiment would soon be mounted, and with the 

Tennessee boys the idea of "ricUng instead of walking-" was 

quite a popular one. The first company organized for the 

regiment was Company A, yet the first seven companies were 

organized during March and April. The following is the 

original list of company officers and the order in which they 

were recruited : 

Company A. 

Captain, Charles L. Barton ; First Lieutenant, John H. Trent ; 
Second Lieutenant, Moses Wiley. 

C0MI'.\NY B. 

Captain, Richard M. Baldwin; First Lieutenant, Gideon Wolf: 
Second Lieutenant, George Odom. 

Company C. 
Captain, James P. Brownlow ; First Lieutenant, Morgan T. 
Burkhart ; Second Lieutenant, Elbert J. Cannon. 
Company D. 
Captain, Alfred J. Lane; First Lieutenant, W. R. Willoughby; 
Second Lieutenant, George W. Cox. 

Company E. 
Captain, Henry G. Flagg; First Lieutenant, Charles H. Burdick; 
Second Lieutenant, William Thurman. 

Company F. 
Captain, Thomas J. Capps; First Lieutenant, Robert A. Wooten ; 
Second Lieutenant, John A. Gray. 

Company H. 
Captain. John A. Gray (promoted from second lieutenant Com- 
pany F to captain Company H) ; First Lieutenant, Calvin M. Dyer; 
Second Lieutenant, Edward Simpson. 

The above companies were organized at Camp Garber 
and all sworn into the United States service for three years 
or during the war. The Fourth Tennessee was not mus- 
tered at its organization owing to the fact that no mustering 
officer was present to perform that duty. ]W this simple 
process these patriotic citizens who had made their way 
through the lines were converted into I'nited States soldiers, 
and were now subject to orders and discipline from all 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 21 

superior officers. Colonel Johnson appointed the following 
commissioned and non-commissioned staff officers: Adju- 
tant, Lieutenant James O. Berry ; Quartermaster, Lieutenant 
Robert Howell ; Surgeon, Pleasant W. Logan ; Sergeant- 
Major, M. C. William^s. 

These were the first line and staff officers, and as va- 
cancies occurred they were filled by promotion. No more 
staff officers were elected or appointed for some time, be- 
cause the regiment was not filled up to a war standard. Uni- 
forms, blankets, knapsacks, haversacks, canteens and cook- 
ing utensils were issued to the men and active preparations 
commenced to fit up the regiment for the field. All will 
doubtless remember how strange and yet how proud most 
of us felt when dressed for the first time in our bright, new 
uniforms. But oh, the horrible misfits! The pants were 
either too long or too short, the hats too large or too small, 
the coat-collars so high and stiff that we could scarcely turn 
our heads at the command eyes right, or left, while the tips 
of the fingers of a short-armed fellow could hardly be seen 
on account of the length of the sleeves. If a long-armed fel- 
low drew a short-sleeved coat he never had to roll up his 
sleeves for a fight. 

Our first camp was on high ground and well laid out, 
with a wide street between each row of tents. The big white 
Sibley tents were well stretched and put up in parallel rows 
as straight as a "bee-line," which added greatly to the ap- 
pearance of the camp. About fifty Harper Ferry muskets 
were issued to the regiment for picket and guard dutv, and 
on discharging the piece there was almost as much danger 
in the rear as at the muzzle, so great was the recoil. Camp 
life was a new experience to the men and it took some little 
time for the boys who had been accustomed to pleasure and 
the comforts of pleasant homes to adapt themselves to the 
various changes, but before the end of their first year's ser- 
vice they had learned by hard experience that camp life, no 
matter how rigid the orders were, was one of ease and com- 
fort as compared with their exoerience at the front. Old 



22 HISTORY OF riKST RKCIMKNT 

]\[otlicr Earth was our bed. and l)ut little complaint was 
heard amonj:^ the men. 

IMilitary discipline was immediately commenced. There 
were but very few of the officers or men in the regiment who 
had any military knowledge, consequently the awkward 
squad was always very large and well attended. The drum- 
mers beat reveille in the morning. This was followed by 
roll-call, sick call, or "(|uinine-call," as the boys named it, 
guard-mounting and drilling six hours each clay. 

On every hand it was, "Right face, left face, about face, 
eyes right, eyes left, heads up, men, heads up, forward 
march, backward march, company right wheel, left wheel, 
halt, parade rest," day after day until the long, shuftling 
gait was changed to the quick, firm step of a solcUer. Our 
camp was a long distance from the railroad, consequently all 
of the supplies had to be transported in army wagons over 
bad roads. Large working details were made from the regi- 
ment and sent to London, where the men built miles of dirt 
and corduroy roads along Laurel river. All the worst places 
received our careful attention, so that by the middle of May 
the roads had sufficiently dried out so that our teams could 
draw a well-loaded wagon to camp. 

Here is where the government mule comes m for his 
share of honor in helping to put down the rebellion. A mule 
is a mule the world over, but none is equal to a government 
mule. It was hard to get along with him, but it seemed 
utterly imi)ossible to get along without him. He endured 
more abuse and insults than all of the army put together. 
He never talked back, Init would "kick back" in spite of 
kind treatment. The army mule has never had justice done 
him and it is doubtful if the war could have been carried on 
without ]iim. He fell in battle like other soldiers, and his 
remains make the Q. M. mile-posts. Often after a hard 
day's work in front of a U. S. wagon he made his supper 
from dry leaves or dead grass, with the feed-box or wagon- 
tongue for dessert. 

It is only after the last army mule has passed beyond 



TKNNESSKK VOT<UNTKER CAVALRY. 23 

the cruel treatment of the arniv teamster that we 1)es;in to 
appreciate how much we owe him. Let a monument be 
built to the memory of the unpraised, unbrevcted, unpen- 
sioned army mule, the real hero of the war. The army mule 
never dodges or runs from anything, as it has a battery of 
its own, and is very effective at close range, seldom missing 
its aim. Bands of music, the rattle of drums and the roar 
of artillery have no effect on him, but like a true soldier he 
stands his ground and makes his inlluence felt in many 
ways. 

In March, 1862, General lUiel. who at that time was in 
command of the Department of the Ohio, issued an order for 
tlie organization of another division, to be known as the 
"Seventh Division, Army of the Ohio," and assigned as its 
commander P.rigadier-General Geo. W. Morgan, a veteran 
officer who had seen service in the war with Mexico. 

Early in April, Morgan moved a portion of his com- 
mand to Cumberland Ford, nine miles southeast of Flat Lick, 
and at once assummed command of all the troops then oper- 
ating in Eastern Kentucky. The Cumberland Valley was 
almost destitute of supplies, the productions of that region 
having been exhausted by the enemy the preceding year. 
Forage for the teams and rations for the troops had to be 
hauled from fifty to sixty miles, over almost impassable 
roads. Heavy details were constantly employed upon the 
main road and for a time it looked as though the regiment 
would be compelled to battle with the mud instead of the 
enemy. As the different regiments marched by, clad in their 
l)right, new uniforms, and with the bright barrels of their 
Enfield rifles gleaming in the bright sunlight, we became 
dissatisfied with our "job" and longed to break camp and 
go to th.e front, as we did not enlist to work on the public 
roads. 

The first death in the regiment was Joel M. Jarvis, Com- 
pany B, who died of measles at Barboursville, Kentucky, 
April 12, 1862. 

How our memory lingers around our first camp as we 



24 TIIST(HCV OF riRST KICCI.MEXT 

recall the many pleasant days spent at Camp Garl)er wiiile 
recruitine;' was going- on, and the men put through the drill 
so essential for troops that are to take the field. Rumors 
frequently reached camp that the regiment would soon re- 
ceive marching orders. The routine duty consisted of six 
hours' drill each day. with diess parade, guard and picket 
duty. 

'i'he following promotion and appointment were made 
in the Fourth Tennessee: Adjutant James O. Berry was pro- 
moted to major, and John Hall, of Knoxville, was appointed 
adjutant. 

Early in May, General C. L. Stevenson, who was hold- 
ing Cumberland Gap with a Confederate force of six or 
eight thousand men, moved up and made an attack on Gen- 
eral Morgan's camp. At midnight an order reached Colonel 
Johnson's camp. The order was for him to move his regi- 
ment at once in light marching order. The officers passed 
from tent to tent and yelled out: "Strike tents and fall in, 
boys !" The men crawled out immediately and fell into line. 
The whole camp was wild with excitement, but no order 
was ever more quickly or cheerfully obeyed. 

The Fourth Tennessee up to this time had not been 
armed, though the guns were then at Flat Lick, but had not 
been issued to the men. The teams were harnessed and in a 
short time were on the way to Flat Lick for the guns. On 
returning to camp the boxes were opened and soon the bright 
barrels of the Austrian rilles were seen flashing in the light 
of the blazing camp-fires. Twenty rounds of ammunition 
were issuefl to each man and about 2 a. m. the regiment left 
camp and, marching through Flat Lick, took the main road 
leading to Cumberland Ford. A drenching rain set in shortlv 
after leaving camp, making marching very unpleasant and 
laborious. The night wa5 of an inky blackness and the road 
rough and slippery, and every now and then a comrade 
would lose his footing and fall sprawling in the mud. This 
would ])rovoke a laugh, and during that night's march the 
Third Commandment was no doubt often violated. 




COLONEL .lAMKS I', liHoWM.oW 



TENNESSKI; VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. -O 

But the regiment trudged along through the rain and 
mud and by 8 a. m. reached Cumberland Ford, hungry, hag- 
gard, and somewhat dilapidated, and found the Union camp 
in excitement and the troops under arms. The attack proved 
to be only a feint, and after some light skirmishing the enemy 
fell back and all was again "quiet along the Cumberland." 
The Fourth Tennessee was halted, guns stacked and the 
troops ordered to cook breakfast, wdiich consisted of hot 
coffee, bacon broiled on pointed sticks and laid out on 
crackers — familiarly known as "hard tack" — and what a 
breakfast it was, to hungry soldiers. 

This was a new experience, and as soon as this hasty 
meal was disposed of the men lay down on the wet ground 
and soon welcome sleep blotted out the recollections of the 
iiiglit march. Late in the afternoon the wagons reached the 
regiment, a camp was selected and tents put up, and while 
admiring the location and beautiful appearance of our second 
camp an order came to strike tents and march at once to 
Woodbine, about thirty-eight miles northwest of Cumber- 
land Ford. This move was made to head off John H. Mor- 
gan, the daring Confederate raider, who was reported to be 
movinj:^ toward Morgan's line of communication. 

The Fourth Tennessee was now about to enter upon its 
first campaign, and it is rather a singular fact that all of the 
first marches should be made at night, but like true soldiers 
the men sadly but resolutely obeyed the order, and without 
rest from the hard and fatiguing march of the preceding 
night marched out singing, "Hoe your cakes and scratch your 
gravel. In Dixie's land we are bound to travel." There was 
but little complaint in the ranks, and the cheerfulness with 
which the men responded to duty laid a foundation on 
which the splendid record was built during its three years' 
service. 

Colonel Johnson moved his regiment from camp late in 
the afternoon of the 7th and marched all night, reaching liar- 
boursville the next morning. Here a short halt was made to 
allow the men to rest and prepare breakfast, after which 



26 HISTORY OF riKST REGIMENT 

tlic march was resumed, and by the middle of the afternoon 
the recrimcnt reachetl Woodbine. Colonel Johnson selected 
his camp near a large spring- and in a beautiful orchard. The 
trees were in full bloom and old Mother Earth richly car- 
peted, wliile from among the blooming trees the merry song- 
sters enlivened the evenings with their sweet music. Pickets 
were thrown out on all the roads and once more the Fourth 
Tennessee, tired and foot-sore, settled down in camp. 

While at this place the regiment had its first alarm, and 
the prompt manner in which the boys turned out would have 
put to shame a veteran organization. Colonel Johnson had 
previously instructed the pickets, and between midnight and 
day the men were aroused by their officers and sharp firing on 
the picket line. The officers w^ere shouting to the men, "Fall 
in ! Fall in ! We are attacked !" and as w-e were expecting 
to be attacked by John H. Morgan none but the officers knew 
any better. Every man was up in an instant, and seizing 
his musket and the first article of clothing that was handiest, 
rushed for the parade-ground, some dressing as they ran, 
while others fell into line without shoes or hats on. 

By this time the firing had reached the colonel's quar- 
ters, and he and his stafit" came on the gallop to the place 
where the regiment was being formed, and immediately or- 
dered it to double-quick down the Somerset road, with Com- 
pany C, Captain Jim Brownlow commanding, in the ad- 
vance. After moving down the road about half a mile. Col- 
onel Johnson halted the regiment and formed it in line of 
battle across the road. All this time the men in the ranks 
were wondering why the order to load was not given. After 
standing in line of battle for about an hour, Colonel Johnson 
marched the regiment back to camp and ordered the men to 
sleep on their arms the remainder of the night ; and it is 
doubtful if ever there was a more wide-awake regiment than 
the Fourth Tennessee during the rest of the night. 

The regiment remained at this place until the middle of 
May, during which time it kept up its daily drill and dress 
parade. C)n the 15th, Colonel Johnson was ordered to move 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 27 

Ills regiment to London, eighteen miles north of Woodbine. 
Camp was broken at dark and after a very hard night's 
march over a rough and hilly country the Fourth Tennes- 
see reached London at 8 o'clock the next morning and went 
into camp on the left of the town. Nothing worthy of men- 
tion occurred at this place, our time being spent in skirmish 
drill and target practice. 

From this place the Fourth Tennessee was ordered to 
Barboursville, a beautiful little town located on the road 
leading to Cumberland Gap and twenty-five miles from Lon- 
don. This march was made in daylight. The regiment lay 
here until the first of June. General Morgan now began the 
.concentration of his army at Cumberland Ford for his pro- 
posed move upon Cumberland Gap, as enough of supplies 
had been collected to warrant him in making this move. The 
first of June, Colonel Johnson was ordered to move his regi- 
ment to Cumberland Ford and here the Twenty-fifth Brigade 
was organized. 

The Seventh Division as originally organized was com- 
posed of four brigades of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, 
four batteries of artillery, with engineer and signal corps 
attached, as follows : 

Twenty-fourth Brigade, Brigadier-General S. P. Carter 
commanding: ist Tenn., Colonel R. K. Byrd; 2nd Tenn., 
Colonel J. P. T. Carter; 7th Ky., Colonel T. T. Garrard; 
49th Ind., Colonel James Kegwin. 

Twenty-fifth Brigade, Brigadier-General Jas. G. Spears 
commanding: 3rd Tenn., Colonel L. C. Houk ; 4th Tenn., 
Colonel Robert Johnson; 5th Tenn., Colonel Jas. T. Shelly; 
6th Tenn., Colonel Joseph A. Cooper. 

Twenty-sixth Brigade, Colonel John F. De Courcey 
commanding: i6th Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel G. W. Bailey; 
22nd Ky., Colonel D. W. Lindsey ; 42nd Ohio, Colonel L. A. 
Sheldon. 

Twenty-seventh Brigade, Brigadier-General A. Baird 
commanding: 33rd Ind., Colonel John Coburn ; 14th Ky., 
Colonel J. C. Cochran; 19th Ky., Colonel W. J. Landrum; 
6th Ky. Cavalry, Colonel Reuben ]\Iondav. 



28 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Artillery: ist Wis. Battery, Captain J. T. Foster, six 
20-pountl Parrott g^iuis ; 7th }»lich. P.attery. Captain C. H 
Lanphere. six 6-pound Rodman guns : 9th Ohio Battery. 
Captain \\'etmore. two 20-pounders and two 12-pound How- 
itzers ; eight heavy seige guns. Lieutenant Dan Webster. 

Engineer Corps. Captain W. F. Patterson. 

Signal Corps, Lieutenant H. G. Fisher, three officers and 
ten men. 

Morgan's division had an aggregate strength of twelve 
thousand five hundred men, the majority of whom were new 
troops, but brave and resolute. Later on in the war the 
troops composing the division made gallant records in the 
armies of the Tennessee. Cumberland and Ohio. L'pon their 
victorious banners were inscribed the battles of \'icksburg, 
Donelson, Shiloh. Murfreesboro. Chickamauga, Resaca, 
Picket's Mill. Kennesaw Mt., Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church, 
Franklin, Xashville and a score more of important battles 
fought by the men composing this division. 



3 > 



I o 



•^ en 







TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 29 



CHAPTER II. 

CUMBERLAND GAP — MORGAN'S CAMPAIGN — THE STRONGHOLD 

EALLS — OPERATIONS AROUND THE GAP HARD SERVICE 

AND SHORT RATIONS — BIG CREEK GAP. 

This was a large army to be maintained in a mountain- 
ous country, the inhabitants producing scarcely enough for 
their own use, much less to feed an army, and to take from 
them seemed like robberv. It was about eighty miles to the 
nearest depot of supplies and the greater portion of that dis- 
tance was through a hilly country. The only means of trans- 
portation was army wagons and the roads were so bad that 
the teams could not make more than ten to twelve miles a day. 
This was an undertaking of more than ordinary magnitude, 
but General Morgan and his army were patient under the 
circumstances and by the first of June enough of supplies had 
been accumulated to warrant Morgan in entering upon his 
proposed campaign, the objective point being the capture of 
Cumberland Gap, one of^he most noted in the great Cumber- 
land range. 

From scouts and reconnoissances made toward this 
stronghold, Morgan learned that the Gap was well fortified 
and held by five or six thousand troops, under the command 
of General Stevenson. This information led Morgan to 
abandon his contemplated attack in front and force Steven- 
son to evacuate the Gap by a fiank movement. It is exceed- 
ingly doubtful if the place could have been carried by a direct 
assault, on account of the roughness of the approaches. 

The country over which Morgan's army marched in this 
great flank movement was exceedingly rough and mountain- 
ous, and to one who has never passed over the route it would 
be very hard to imagine the difficulties to be overcome in 



30 HISTORY OF riRST RUGIMENT 

transporting: cannon and a heavy baggage train over it. It 
is a short day's march from Cumberland Ford to Cumberland 
Gap. but to reach the latter place by Big Creek Gap would 
require at least ten to twelve days of hard marching over 
almost impassable roads, a distance of one hundred miles. 

The only gaps that could be crossed by an army encum- 
bered with artillery and heavily loaded wagons were Big 
Crook and Rogers Gaps, and toward these ^lorgan marched 
his army in two columns of two brigades each. Big Creek 
Gap is thirty-eight miles nearly clue west from Cumberland 
Gap and thirty-six miles from Cumberland Ford. These 
gaps were all blockaded and a small force stationed at each 
one to watch the movements of the Union army. General 
E. K. Smith was in command of the Department of East 
Tennessee and had placed General Barton with his division 
near the mouth of Big Creek Gap on the south side to pre- 
vent ^Morgan's troops from crossing at this gap. 

All of Morgan's division was at Cumberland Ford ex- 
cept Spears' brigade, which at that time was encamped near 
Boston, Kentucky. A floating bridge was built across Cum- 
berland River and the army moved to the south side. Gen- 
eral Spears' brigade — except the Fourth Tennessee \"olun- 
teers — was ordered to the foot of Pine jNIountain, on the Big 
Creek Gap road, for the purpose of removing the blockade. 
In order to deceive the enemy at Cumberland Gap, a feint 
was made in that direction to cover the movements on Rogers 
and Big Creek Gaps. 

On the 9th day of June, the Fourth Tennessee broke 
camp at Cumberland Ford and marched with General Car- 
ter's brigade — to which it was at that time temporarily at- 
tached — to the old ]^loss house on the Cumberland Gap road, 
where the whole command bivouacked for the night. The 
next morning we were joined by Captain Lanphere's Sev- 
enth jNIichigan Battery, after which the entire brigade. and 
battery moved a short distance on the Clear Creek road and 
encamped for the night. 

Resuming the march the next dav the brigade marched 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 31 

on to Boston by way of Lambdin's, where it bivouacked for 
the night. We experienced great trouble in getting our 
wagons and the artillery over the almost impassable roads. 
On" the morning of the 13th. General Carter was ordered to 
move his brigade through Big Creek Gap and join Morgan 
at Rogers Gap in Powell's Valley. The command w^as 
moved out early on the morning of the 14th, and as the day 
wore away the long drawn-out column of weary troops could 
be seen tramping along cheerfully toward Pine Mountain, 
believing when the summit was reached the road would be 
better. 

The march, however, was relieved of much of its tedi- 
ousness by the grandeur of the scenery. This was an exceed- 
ingly hard day on the men as well as the horses and mules, 
but by the united exertion of the troops the wagons and ar- 
tillery were safely taken across Pine ]\Iountain, though the 
men and horses were greatly fatigued. 

Early on the morning of he 15th, General Carter re- 
ceived a dispatch from General Spears at Big Creek Gap 
stating that his brigade was attacked, and requesting him to 
move immediately to his support. The troops were ordered 
into line and in a short time the column was under way, and 
so eager were the men to meet the enemy that they forgot 
the hard and tedious marches of the preceding days, pushed 
forward and reached General Spears' position, ten miles dis- 
tant, by noon. When Carter's troops reached Spears at Big 
Creek Gap all was quiet, his troops having repulsed the 
enemy, which proved to be a part of General Barton's com- 
mand. Heavy details were made to assist the teams in over- 
coming the ascents and descents of this mountainous coun- 
try. 

The road — as it was called — was rough and full of huge 
boulders, and at some places was very steep, narrow and 
winding, in fact at places it seemed utterly impossible to pass 
by safely. At places where the road was so crooked and full 
of boulders there was great danger of the artillery and 
wagons being precipitated down the almost perpendicular 



3>2 lllSTdRV (ir I'lKST KKiUMKNT 

banks of jai^-.^tHl riK^ks at places almost a huiulrccl feet high, 
meaning- death to man or beast if they toppled over these 
vawning chasms. I hit by doubling the teams and the troops 
tugging at ropes, block and. tackle, this great task was ac- 
C(Mn])lished with, but slight loss. The heaviest siege guns 
weighed eight thousand pounds and the reader can form his 
own conclusio\is of the magnitude of the undertaking. 

C^n reaching Ihg Creek Gap. Colonel Johnson was or- 
dered to join Spears' brigade, the one to which the regiment 
belonged. On the following morning the line of march was 
taken u]) ami the Fourth Tennessee, with the remainder of 
the anny. moved up Powell's \'alley to Rogers' Gap. where 
it bixouacked for the night. As we marched up the valley 
the loyal people lined the road and gave us a warm greeting, 
and the frequent outbursts of joy at the sight of the old flag 
anil the marching soldiers led us to believe that the greet- 
ing was from true Unionists. At Rogers' Gap, Morgan 
again imited his army. The brigades of De Courcey and 
r.airil had movd from Cumberland Ford toward Cumber- 
lanil Gap. and after a slight demonstration in front of that 
stronghold, moved to Rogers' Gap, and after removing the 
blockade, crossed the mountain and marched out into Pow- 
ell's \'alley. On the approach of Morgan's troops at Big 
Creek and Rogers" Gaps, r)arton moved rapidly up the valley 
toward Cumberland Gap. 

General Morgan had quietly turned Stevenson's left 
Hank and his army was now all on the south side of the 
mountain and nineteen miles west of Cumberland Gap. Mor- 
gan was now between Stevenson and Smith, and decided to 
advance upon Cumberland Gap before Kirby Smith could 
concentrate his forces at that point or fight him in the field. 
Morgan issued orders for his division to move at i a. m. on 
the i8th for the purpose of attacking the enemy, who was 
then said to be encamped in force at or near the Thomas 
farm, about nine miles from Rogers' Gap. 

The army moved forward in two columns of two brigades 
each, on almost parallel roads running from near Rogers' 




^1"* *!«' 




TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 33 

Gap and intersecting at Thomas'. Carter's and Spears' bri- 
gades moved along the new valley road, De Courcey and 
Baird on the old valley road, but before the two columns 
reached the Thomas farm the enemy abandoned it and fled 
in great confusion toward Cumberland Gap. After a short 
rest the two columns were united and the army continued the 
march up the valley toward the Gap. Late in the afternoon 
the army came in sight of Cumberland Gap, and Morgan 
was about to begin deploying his troops for an attack when 
the scouts sent out by him returned and reported this great 
stronghold abandoned. 

This great military prize fell by Morgan's strategy after 
a brief campaign made under the most severe and trying dif- 
ficulties, and before the close of the day — i8th — the Seventh 
Division marched in and took possession. Everything indi- 
cated a hasty retreat. Stevenson threw five or six heavy 
cannon down the cliffs, besides several left in position. All 
of his tents were slitted and left standing. A large amount 
of stores and army supplies were destroyed, but quite a lot 
fell into our hands not injured. On taking possession of 
the Gap a national salute was fired in honor of its capture, 
by Foster's battery, from the summit, while from the pin- 
nacle the Stars and Stripes could be seen floating high above 
our heads, its silken folds being kissed by the mountain 
breeze. 

■'Forever float that standard sheet, 

Where breathes the foe that falls before us, 
With freedom's soil beneath our feet, 

And freedom's banner streaming o'er us." 

In his report of the Cumberland Gap campaign, General 
Morgan says : "The result secured by strategy is less bril- 
liant than a victory gained amid the storm and hurricane of 
battle, but humanity has gained all that glory has lost, and 1 
am satisfied." 

The following order from the Department Commander 
will give the reader an idea of his high appreciation of this 
bloodless victorv : 



34 HISTORY OF riRST KKOIMENT 

llKAPi^CAKTIiKS ArMY Ol" THE OhIO. 

Huntsville, Ala., July ii, 1S62. 
Gknkrai. Orprrs No. 2g. 

The GciuTal commanding tlic Army of the Ohio takes pleasure 
in annoutu'ing the success of an arduous and hazardous campaign by 
the Sovet\th Division. Brigadier-General George \V. Morgan com- 
manding, by wh.ich the enemy's fortified position at Cumberland Gap 
was turned and his forces compelled to retreat as our troops ad- 
vanced to attack. The General commanding thanks General Morgan 
and the troops of the Seventh Division for the ability displayed in 
the operations against this important stronghold and for the energ>-. 
fortitude and cheerfulness which they exhibited in their struggle with 
difficulties of the most formidable magnitude for an army. 

r>y connnand of Ma.iok-Gknkrai. Bikl. 
/ ' Jas. B. Fry. 

' Coh-'ucl and Chief of Staff. 

General Morgan placoJ his troops in and aronnd the 
Gap and began the con.^trnction of such works as seemed 
necessary for the protection of his army from an attack from 
the south. Cumberland Gap. which has been by some one 
denominated the "Gibraltar of America," was famous long 
before the thunder of Confederate guns were heard at Fort 
Stimter. It was through this noted pass that Daniel Boone, 
the great hunter and explorer, crossed on his way to the 
"Pdue Grass State." and was also one of the first points garri- 
soned in this section by the Confederates in 1S61. It is situ- 
ated at the point of junction between three States. By the 
side oi the road oti the south side and near the summit stands 
a stone which marks the comer of three States — Tennessee, 
\irg-inia and Kentucky. Some of the boys declared that they 
could stand in three States at once by placing themseh-es on 
the top of this noted conier-stone. 

During the war it was held by both amiies. and was a 
position of great importance, it being a great natural gate- 
way and key to the States of Tennessee. Kentucky and \'ir- 
ginia. This note*.! mountain pass is one of the deepest clefts 
in the great Cumberland range, and is at least one thousand 
feet higher than the base, while on each side its lofty peaks 



Tennessee; volunteer cavalry. ^3 

tower at least one thousand feet higher. Through this gap 
cannon and heavily laden army wagons could cross without 
difficulty, besides it was the main gateway to the center of the 
Confederacy, for only a short distance south was the main 
and most important railroad which connects Richmond with 
the Gulf States. This was the road on which the Unionists 
of East Tennessee burned so many bridges. 

It is also noted for its many springs of pure, sparkling 
water that leaps and jumps down its rugged sides. The one 
on the south side furnishes power for a busy mill that stood 
at the southern base, which did constant duty for the Con- 
federate as well as the Union army early in the war. It was 
burned by a detachment of the Second Tennessee Volunteers, 
led by ]\Iajor Dan Carpenter, in 1863. Morgan's division 
were the first Union troops to carry the old flag across these 
rugged mountains and to enter this great stronghold. The 
peak to the east is much the highest, and from this dizzy 
point a magnificent view of the States of Tennessee, Ken- 
tucky and Virginia may be had, while away in the blue, hazy 
distance the great Blue Ridge range and the beautiful Chil- 
howee may be seen. 

General Morgan established his headquarters on the 
south side of the Gap, at Dr. Morrison's residence, a short 
distance east of the Tazewell road. General Spears' brigade 
was encamped still east of Morgan's headquarters and near 
the A'irginia road. Drills and parades that had been given 
up during the campaign were revived, and some days the 
level space at the foot of the mountain was completely cov- 
ered with troops, all going through different movements. 

Early in July, General Morgan sent Spears' brigade four 
miles northeast of the Gap into Lee county, Virginia, to 
watch the enemy and collect forage. The camp was on the 
Virginia road, near Woodson's Creek, and was named "Camp 
Morgan," in honor of General Geo. W. Morgan, command- 
ig the Seventh Division, Army of the Ohio, This was the 
first time that the entire brigade had ever been in camp to- 
gether since its organization. 



36 HISTORY or FIRST REGIMENT 

Camp life at this place was made up of picketing, scout- 
ing-, skirni'sliing. drills and parades. Some of the outposts 
were vuuler the rugged peaks of the mountain, and as the 
wearv sentinel stooil quietly on the lonely picket-post with 
his faithful musket hy his side the whispering pines were 
lonesome companions. As the enemy were in close prox- 
iiuitv to our camp, great care and diligence was required to 
prevent surprise, for we had no cavalry to do outpost duty. 

One of the picket posts v.as well up to the foot pf the 
mountain, ami one dark night the picket, who was wide- 
awake and with eagle eye was peering into the darkness to 
d.etect the form of a man or an animal that he heard in his 
front. He did not want to arouse the reserves, nor did he 
want to be captured, so at last, tired of further suspense, he 
fired into the darkness. This shot aroused the reserves, as 
well as the old government mule that was quietly approach- 
ing his supposed friend. W'nh lowered head and tail ex- 
tended he dashed madly by the picket, and the reserves, be- 
lieving him to be harmless, refused to fire. Soon all became 
quiet and no further alarm occurred during the night. The 
faithful sentinel, when asked why he fired upon tKe defence- 
less mule, remarked that it had no business outside the picket 
line without the countersign. In some way this mule had 
gone beyond the picket line luiobserveil. possibly in search of 
something to satisfy his craving appetite, and returning after 
dark was fired upon without being challenged. 

The whole camp was kept giiarded night and day. the 
beats were numbered and at intervals during the night each 
sentinel was required to call out the number of his beat or 
post in the following manner, beginning with post number 
one: "Four o'clock and post nuiuber one all right." The 
sentinel on beat number two would in like manner call out 
his number, this was followed by tlie next one and continued 
until the round was made, and if a sentinel failed to respond 
the corporal of the guard was sent to find out the trouble. 

This was a new experience to the men composing the 
Twenty-fifth Brigade, and this system of camp guard was 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 37 

the work of the fertile brain of General Spears, our bricjade 
commander. It is doubtful if there was another brigade in 
the whole army that maintained such a system around its 
camp, yet it served his purpose well and kept many a sleepy- 
headed sentinel awake while on duty. The men and most 
of the officers were without military experience and as our 
camp was located in the enemy's country, vigilance was a 
necessity, and be it said to the credit of General Spears that 
his camp was never surprised, though hardly a day passed 
without a brush with the enemy somewhere on the picket 
line. 

Late in the afternoon of the 5th of August, General 
Spears' camp was thrown into great excitement by an order 
from General Morgan directing the Twenty-fifth Brigade to 
march at once to the relief of De Courcey's brigade at Taze- 
well, Tennessee. De Courcey had been sent by Morgan to 
Tazewell for the purpose of capturing a lot of supplies stored 
at that place by the enemy. The Fourth Tennessee left camp 
at dark and marched with the remainder of the brigade in 
light marching order toward Tazewell. Spears moved his 
troops rapidly along the dusty road and on reaching Powell's 
River, six miles from Cumberland Gap, met De Courcey fall- 
ing back. 

Part of De Courcey's brigade was pretty roughly hand- 
led. While the wagons were being loaded, Stevenson's di- 
vision made an attack on his brigade, but he held his position 
against great odds until the two hundred wagons he had 
taken with him were loaded and well on their way toward the 
Gap. In this engagement Colonel G. W. Gordon, Eleventh 
Tennessee Volunteers, C. S. A., was captured by the Six- 
teenth Ohio of De Courcey's brigade. After a short rest the 
two brigades returned to camp. 

It was while the Fourth Tennessee lay at Camp Morgan 
and during the sharp and almost continuous picket fighting 
that Captain Brownlow, of Company C, began to develop 
such fine soldierly qualities that later on made him famous 
as a "fighter." The daily picket fighting gave him splendid 



38 HISTORY OF riRST RKCIMEXT 

opportunities and he soon won for himself a briUiant reputa- 
tion as a brave and determined leader. When the regiment 
was organized at Flat Lick the office of lieutenant-colonel 
was left vacant, and up to this position James P. Brownlow, 
captain of Company C, the youngest captain in the regiment, 
was promoted. He was the youngest son of Rev. W. G. 
Brownlow, of Knoxville, more familiarly known as Parson 
Brownlow, one of the leading Unionists of East Tennessee 
and editor and proprietor of Brozi'iilozv's Knoxville Whig. 
Captain Brownlow was just nineteen years old when he was 
promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Tennessee Vol- 
unteers. He was tall and well proportioned, with keen, pene- 
trating, gray eyes. He was a soldier of fine ability, full of 
enterprise, energy and courage. He was never heard to say 
"Go. boys." but always. "Come on, boys!" Agreeable in his 
manners and accessible to all, he was strictly honorable in 
all oj his dealings with men and the government. 

First Lieutenant ]\I. T. Burkhart was promoted to cap- 
tain, and Second Lieutenant E. J. Cannon to first lieutenant. 
First Sergeant J. K. Lones was promoted to second lieu- 
tenant. 

About the middle of August. General Spears' brigade 
was ordered back to the Gap. The occupation of Cumber- 
land Ga]) by the T.'nion army shortened the distance and 
greatly retluced the chances of capture by the enemy of the 
East Tennessee L'nionists. who no\v came to the Gap by hun- 
dreds, leaving behind fathers, mothers, wives and sisters. 
These loyal men came to enlist, and soon the ranks of all 
the Tennessee regiments were full and the Second, Third 
and Fourth Cavalry were beginning to receive recruits. 
From the loyal citizens three more companies were recruited 
for the regiment, as follows : 

Company G. 
Captain, I. C. Leger; First Lieutenant, W. W. Mosier ; Second 
Lieutenant, H. K. Fields. 

Company L 
Captain, Abraham Hammond ; First Lieutenant, W. A. Kidwell ; 
Second Lieutenant, Jas. H. Elkins. 



TENNESSKE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 39 

Company K. 

Captain, Burton Smith; First Lieutenant, Nelson Bowman; 
Second Lieutenant, Alexander M. Smith. 

This made the ten companies and brought the Fourth 
Tennessee up to the government standard for an infantry 
regiment, and each company retained the same letter and 
position during the service, with A on the right and then ' 
the other companies from right to left,, in the following 
order : F, D, I, C, H, E, K, G and B. 

The Fourth Tennessee had been without a chaplain up 
to this time, and no doubt it was a most fortunate thing, as 
the regiment now had an opportunity of procuring the service 
of an able Christian gentleman. Among those who made 
their escape and came through the lines to our camp was 
Rev. John P. Holtsinger, a Cuinberland Presbyterian min- 
ister of Greeneville, and at the request of Colonel Johnson the 
commissioned officers voted for and unanimously elected him 
chaplain of the regiment. He was a model Christian, intelli- 
gent, kind and brave, and the noble example that he set be- 
fore the men composing the regiment was worthy of emu- 
lation. The profound confidence that the men had in him in 
camp as well as upon the battlefield was such that he was 
called the "Father of the Regiment." He was always pres- 
ent on the field of battle, in the midst of danger and death, to 
speak words of comfort to the wounded and dying, and one 
of the best evidences of his popularity and worth is that he 
"stuck" to us to the end. 

Shortly after the occupation of Cumberland Gap by Gen- 
eral Morgan's forces. Lieutenant W. P. Craighill, of the En- 
gineer Corps, was sent to the Gap and commenced the con- 
struction of such defensive works as would assure the safety 
of the position with a small force. These works were built 
on the south side, and so situated that should this great 
stronghold fall into the hands of the enemy they could not 
be used in an attack from the north side. In the construction 
of these works large details were made from the diffierent 



40 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMIvNT 

re.qinienls to build tlioni. General Smith did not withdraw 
his forces very far from the Gap after its fall. General Stev- 
enson's division remained in close proximity, and the re- 
mainder of Smith's troops were stationed at other points 
more or less remote. 

Al)out the 15th of Ang:ust. General Spears was ordered 
io Wallace's Cross Roads. eig:hteen miles north of Knoxville, 
lor the purpose of breaking; up a Confederate camp at that 
place. Spears nfDved his brigade through the Gap to the 
north side of the mountain and then turning west marched 
down tlie north side to Big Creek Gap. This camp was 
about Hfty to sixty miles from Cumberland Gap. direct route, 
and was considered a dangerous movement, as almost the 
whole distance lay within the enemy's line and was made 
without the aiil of cavalry. But in the ranks of Spears' bri- 
gade there were scores of men who were well acquainted 
with the country through which he was to march. 

From Big Creek Gap. Spears turned south and moved 
rapidly toward Robbins' Ford, on Clinch River. This ford 
is soiuothing near six miles below the junction of Powell's 
river with Clinch, and about live miles from Wallace's Cross 
Roads. This was before the day of pontoons in the Army 
of the Ohio, and to the men in the ranks there seemed but 
one way to cross. The troops pulled off their shoes and 
placed them and their cartridge-boxes and belts on the muz- 
zles of their guns so as to keep them dry, and while waiting 
for orders to cross some freak of memory suggested tliat 
graml old hymn : 

"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand. 
And cast a wishful eye." 

It was. however, a season of the year when the water 
was not cold and the boys rather enjoyed the bath, but were 
a little slow to enter the streatu at the start. From this point 
Spears pushed on and at noon reached the enemy's camp, 
which he completely surprised. 

The Confederates were quietly cooking their dinner, not 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 41 

thinking: for a moment that there was a Yankee in fifty miles 
of them. They were routed and fled in all directions, leav- 
ing: their warm dinner for us, and sixty-five men killed. 
Avounded and captured, besides several horses and mules and 
a lot of guns and camp equipage. 

Spears' brigade was now within eighteen miles of Knox- 
ville. the home of many of his men. From loyal citizens we 
learned afterwards that this movement of Spears produced 
the wildest confusion in Knoxville and that the enemy ex- 
pected the "despised Yankees" at any moment. Spears' bri- 
gade was composed wholly of Tennessee troops, and many 
of the men were almost in sight of their homes, but were not 
permitted to leave the ranks for fear of being captured. 

General Spears returned by the same route without the 
loss of a man. Feed for the mules and artillery horses was 
scarce and frequent foraging expeditions were sent out under 
an infantry escort for the purpose of collecting feed, and 
often a lively skirmish would take place over a disputed corn- 
field. 

General ]\Iorgan endeavored to provoke Stevenson to 
give battle, but without success. His troops often adA'anced 
to his camp, surprised and captured his outposts, but was 
iinable to bring on an engagement. Toward the last of 
August, General E. K. Smith moved with the greater part of 
his army into Kentucky, by way of Big Creek Gap, and took 
lip a strong position near Big Hill and Richmond. This sud- 
den and unexpected movement of Smith completely cut Mor- 
gan ofif from his base of supplies, and anticipating the total 
exhaustion of his supplies on hand before communication 
could be restored, he was compelled to put his troops on half 
rations and made preparation to hold out to the last ex- 
tremity. The Third Tennessee, Third Kentucky and Mun- 
day's cavalry were sent to aid a column organized for the 
relief of his troops, but were attacked at London and Big 
Hill before being united with the other troops, and after a 
sharp engagement were routed and forced to return. In this 
engagement the Third Tennessee, of our brigade, met with 
considerable loss, especially at Big Hill. 



42 HISTORY OV FIRST RF.GIMENT 

Karlv in September. W. S. Reynolds, the noted and dar- 
ing Tennessee scout and hero of three wars, reached General 
Morgan's headquarters and informed him that a well- 
equipped detachment of the enemy, said to be McAfee's 
Kentuckv cavalry, would leave Knoxville for Kentucky in a 
few days by way of T.is^ Creek Gap. General Spears was 
ordered to send a detachment of picked men, under a brave 
and resolute officer. Four hundred men were selected from 
the brigade and placed under tb.e command of Colonel Jos. 
A. Cooper, Sixth Tennessee \'olunteers. Colonel Cooper 
moved his command to the north side of the mountain early 
on the morning of September 7. in light marching order, 
and at once moved toward Rig Creek Gap as rapidly as the 
nature of the country would atlmit. 

In going this route, Cooper's little army had to cross 
Log Mountain, which was exceedingly rough, but by night 
over half of the distance had been covered. We were mov- 
ing over almost the same route taken by Spears' brigade a 
few weeks before in the move on Wallace's Cross Roads. 
Colonel Cooper's command bivouacked in the mountain, and 
early the next morning was pushed rapidly toward Big Creek 
Gap, which was not reached a moment too soon. Colonel 
Cooper had scarcely time to form his men in line of battle 
before the enemy was reported to be moving toward the Gap. 
They were marching along without an advance guard, chat- 
ting together unmindful of the fate that awaited them, and 
the first intimation they had of our presence was when their 
eyes caught sight of a line of blue coats in line of battle 
across the road they were moving upon. 

The troops in front opened fire, while the remainder of 
Cooper's men charged upon them from all sides, and after 
a short but spirited engagement the enemy surrendered. 
The Confederates were well mounted and splendidly 
equipped, each man being armed with a good double-bar- 
reled shotgun, revolver and saber. They were mounted on 
magnificent horses, while in their ranks were men from dif- 
ferent States. The day was exceedingly warm and most of 




GP:NERAL .lOSKPH A. C'OOl'KR 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 43 

the men had taken off their coats to avoid the heat, their 
bright red shirts making good targets for the boys. 

Out of one hundred and nine men, only one made his 
escape, and he was said to have been wounded. In this 
engagement Colonel ]\lcAfee and ninety-five officers and 
men were captured, while ten of the enemy were left dead 
upon the field, among them an aide-de-camp of General 
Smith and two captains. Cooper's men also captured ninety- 
eight horses besides arms and equipments. There were no 
casualties in Colonel Cooper's command, and this was no 
doubt due to the admirable manner in which he placed his 
men. He returned to the Gap with the prisoners and cap- 
tured property, having marched eighty miles in four days, 
over mountains and hills and roads almost impassable. On 
our return. General Alorgan issued the following order, 
which was read to his troops at dress parade. 

HEADQUARTERS FoRCES OF THE UniTED STATES, 

Cumberland Gap, September 12, 1862. 
General Order No. 88. 

The commanding General has again the pleasure of announcing 
to his troops the achievements of a handful of their comrades at Big 
Creek Gap, on the 8th inst. After having blockaded the approaches 
to Big Creek Gap, Colonel Cooper, with a force consisting of four 
hundred men of the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Regiments, Ten- 
nessee Volunteers, met and routed a force of the enemy's cavalry, 
killing several, and captured ninety-five prisoners, eighty-seven horses 
and mules, with a quantity of arms and equipments and a rebel mail, 
which was being taken to Kentucky on the same day. Colonel Cooper 
speaks in the highest terms of the gallantry of his officers and men. 
The commanding General congratulates the Tennessee troops on the 
laurels won by their comrades. 

By command of Generai, Morgan. 

Chas. O. Jolin, a. a. G. 

It is with pride and pleasure that the commanding General pub- 
lishes the above order. It is a source of pleasure to him to bestow 
his thanks and praise upon Colonel Cooper and the brave officers and 
men of his command, who so gallantly and conspicuously achieved 
the victory at Big Creek Gap. The commanding General gives them 
all praise and honor. 

By command of General Spears. 

D. C. Trewhitt, a. a. G. 



44 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

In this expediiion Captain Lane, of Company D. com- 
manded the detaclinient from the Fourth Tennessee. One 
of his heutenants was E. J. Cannon, of Company C. Both 
fell in battle later on. The other the writer is unable to 
recall. 

All this time the rations were g^etting shorter, with no 
prospects of a fresh supply, not even from the country. Gen- 
eral Morgan kept his troops busy during the month they were 
shut up in the Gap in strengthening the fortifications and 
foraging. The Confederates were so close that the foraging 
was limited to the cornfields near the Gap. The subsistence 
consisted of half rations of rice and beans, but our short 
rations were pieced out by green corn, the government mule 
taking the stalks. The supply of grain for the horses and 
mules was getting shorter each day, and to hold out much 
longer they would be unable to haul oflP the artiller)- and 
wagons. To hold out and wait for star\-ation to force a sur- 
render would give the enemy twelve thousand prisoners, 
twenty-six cannon, besides thousands of small amis and a 
large quantity of ammunition. 

We were now realizing the stern realities of war. but 
the boys were patient under the circumstances and responded 
to duty cheerfully. Before leaving the Gap, and for want of 
suitable ammunition, the Fourth Tennessee exchanged their 
Austrian rifles for big. clumsy Belgian muskets, after which 
the boys decided that every man would need a pack-mule to 
carry his ammunition, so large was the calibre of this gim. 

On the 19th day of Augiist, Morgan telegraphed Hal- 
lick as follows : "This position shall not be yielded while we 
have a pound of meat or an ounce of powder." There were 
several false alarms while Morgan was shut up in the Gap. 
and when they occurred the Fourth Tennessee would g^rab 
their gims and jump into the rifie-pits just above the road. 
On several occasions the enemy moved up in sight of the 
Gap and made some show of attack, but never made the at- 
tempt during our stay. The artiller}- was well posted and 
being on such a high elevation the gunners were able to drop 



TKNNESSEE VOI<UNTEER CAVALRY. 45 

their shells with wonderful precision. When the enemy evac- 
uated the Gap they threw one of their heavy sie^c guns over 
the cliff on the left of the Gap. General Morgan set a detail 
of men to work and in a few days this splendid gun was in 
position and doing work for ''Uncle Sam." It was a 62- 
pound riilcd gun, and owing to its great length the boys 
called it "Long Tom." Every time this gun was fired we 
could hear the huge shell passing through the air high above 
our heads, the exploding shell making almost as much noise 
as the discharge. 

The future looked gloomy and dark, and no wonder 
the men became restive and often remarked to each other, 
"Will we have to surrender, or retreat?" The men fully 
understood the situation and determined to do their duty. 
Numerous flags of truce were sent by the enemy, demanding 
the surrender of the Gap, but were not even considered by 
the commander of the United States forces. 



46 IIISTCRV OF FIRST REGIMENT 



7" 



CHAPTER III. 



morgan's famous retreat — FATIGUING MARCH — HARRASSED 
r.V THE ENEMY — MARCHING UNDER DIFFICULTIES — CAMP 
LIFE ON THE OHIO CAMP DENNISON IN 1862. 

It was onl}- when Braj2:g' invaded Kentucky and com- 
pletely cut off all supplies that General INIorgan determined 
to withdraw from bis stronghold. On the 14th a council of 
war was held at Morgan's headquarters to determine the 
advisability of the evacuation of Cumberland Gap, as. matters 
were growing more serious every day. After a lengthy coun- 
cil, in which all matters of importance were thoroughly dis- 
cussed in detail, it was thought advisable by those present 
that the best thing to do under the existing circumstances 
would be the evacuation of the Gap. 

Notwithstanding the state of affairs at the Gap, the 
troops received the order to abandon the position with con- 
siderable indignation and regret, many believing that the 
place could be held until relief would reach them. All prop- 
erty that could not be taken away was to be destroyed, and 
the next day the destruction began. Wagons, ambulances. 
camp-kettles and mess-pans that could not be taken away 
were destroyed. Tents were slitted and left standing. The 
heavy siege guns were disabled and thrown over the cliff. 
All surplus guns and ammunition were thrown into the 
magazine on the north side and to the left of the Gap. The 
roads and cliffs were mined and sufficient powder placed 
under each to insure a complete blockade when the match 
was applied. Great secrecy was required of those engaged 
in the execution of this work in order that the enemy might 
be deceived as to Morgan's movement and his intention of 
evacuating his position. 



TENNESSEK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 47 

The wagons and a portion of the artillery left on the 
evening of the i6th. under an infantry escort, followed later 
on by the whole division. The Fourth Tennessee, with the 
remainder of the brigade, left its camp on the Virginia road 
just under the pinnacle at 9 p. m., September 17, and 
marched through, the Cjap and down the north side. As we 
passed through the Gap we paused for a* moment and, peer- 
ing through the darkness, took a parting look at "our own 
East Tennessee," which to many it was the last. 

To the south lay Clinch Mountain, along whose northern 
base the beautiful river of that name flows southwest and 
enters the Tennessee at Kingston. Still southward lay the 
Valley of the Holston, with the winding stream of the same 
name flowing its entire length, while hill after hill and valley 
after valley greet the eye of the soldier as well as the trav- 
eler. All the discomforts of our present situation were for- 
gotten for the moment as we gazed with admiration upon 
this dark scene, marred by the devastating hands of a cruel 
war. Indeed, it seemed a fit abode for the Goddess of Peace 
instead of War, with all of its horrors. 

[t was a sad and trying moment to the Tennessee troops 
that were then serving in Morgan's division. The homes of 
these brave men who had been driven away in exile were to 
some extent protected by the presence of the Union army 
while at the Gap, were now to be abandoned and left to the 
mercy of a hostile foe. But true to our colors and without 
complaint we turned our faces from this beautiful picture 
and our homes, and grasping our muskets with a firmer hold 
we sadly yet proudly marched through the Gap, with our 
guns at a "right shoulder shift," and started on the ever 
memorable, ever famous retreat through the mountains of 
Eastern Kentucky. 

The night on which the army withdrew was dark, con- 
sequently the descent was slow, difficult and dangerous, and 
had the enemy boldly attacked us he could have done much 
harm. At the northern base of the mountain. Spears' brigade 
was halted and formed in line of battle across the Big Creek 



48 HISTORY Ol" riKST REC.IMHNT 

Gap road, with a section of Foster's battery in the intervals 
between the reg:inients. Lieutenant-Colonel Gallup, provost- 
marshal of the division, aided by Captain Patterson, of the 
Encjineer Corps, with two hundred picked men, was en- 
trustetl with the delicate and danoerous duty of holdin.c: the 
encmv in check durino- the nio:ht and of firing the mines when 
the troops were all withdrawn. 

After the troops, artillery and wagons had reached the 
foot of the mountain the march was begun, and soon the 
long-, dark lines of infantry and artillery were slowly moving 
along the road leading to Cumberland Ford. Just before 
dawn. Colonel Gallup withdrew his pickets and ordered all 
government buildings to be fired on the south side of the 
mountain. The match was then applied to the fuse at the 
mines, and immediately explosion followed explosion, until 
the grand old mountain was shaken from summit to base. 
The magazine on the north side near the summit \yas filled 
with ammunition and guns that could not be taken away, 
and when the fire reached the shells and boxes of ammuni- 
tion, they too exploded. The explosions took place at inter- 
vals, and to the marching troops it resembled a battle very 
much. 

The enemy approached the Gap when the buildings were 
fired, but were evidently afraid of the mines and magazine, 
which were still belching fire and smoke. Tons of earth and 
stone were thrown into the road by the explosion of the 
mines, so by the time the enemy removed the obstructions, 
Morgan's division w'as several miles away. 

When the Fourth Tennessee reached Cumberland River, 
the forty rounds of ammunition that each man was required 
to carry seemed to have increased in weight to forty pounds. 
The march was continued throughout the night and the fol- 
lowing day, until Flat Lick was reached, twenty-four miles 
from Cumberland Gap. From this point the armv moved 
toward Manchester on two parallel roads along Stinking 
and Goose Creeks, reaching the famous Goose Creek salt 
works late in the evening of the 19th, where the whole 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 49 

division bivouacked for the nioht. The army was halted one 
dav for rest and to perfect the organization for the march. 

At this place the enemy's cavalry, under that daring 
raider, John H. Morgan, now appeared for the first time 
upon our rear, and made an attempt to capture a part of our 
train. Spears" brigade was immediately ordered into line and 
moved out on the Flat Lick road, where it was formed in 
line of battle. Cooper's Sixth Tennessee was thrown for- 
ward and after a sharp skirmish the enemy was forced to 
fall back. 

On the morning of the 21st, the whole division left camp 
and moved through Manchester and toward Proctor. Just 
after leaving Manchester, a soldier belonging to one of the 
Kentucky regiments was executed. While the army lay at 
Cumberland Gap this soldier took the life of one of his com- 
rades, and for this offense was convicted by courtmartial and 
sentenced to be shot, and as the army was on the march when 
the time arrived for the execution to take place, no troops but 
those of his own command were witnesses to this sad event. 

The brigades of Baird and Carter moved by way of 
Booneville and those of Spears and De Courccy direct to 
Proctor, a small town located on the south side of the Ken- 
tucky river. 

John H. Morgan left the rear of our marching column 
and by hard marching reached Proctor in advance of us, 
burned a steam mill and, as our advance approached the 
place, stood ready to dispute our further advance in that 
direction. As the head of the column entered the town, Mor- 
gan made some show of resistance. A battery was sent to 
the front and the Fourth Tennessee ordered forward as a 
support, but before a shot was fired the enemy fled in haste, 
leaving the Seventh Division in possession of the place. The 
entire division moved to the north side and went into camp. 
The Kentucky river at this place was almost dry. 

The army was now reaching that portion of Kentucky 
where there was but little to be found along the line of 
march, and as some of the bovs remarked, "foraging would 



so HISTORY OF FIRST RDGIMENT 

not pay." However, from each man's haversack dangled a 
grater made from a tin plate or a canteen, and if we were 
lucky enough to find a few small ears of corn they would soon 
be converted into meal, ready for bread or mush, the prepara- 
tion invariably being governed by the existing circumstances. 

From Proctor to West Liberty it is sixty-nine miles, and 
almost the entire distance is nothing more than a barren 
waste. Not a drop of running water could be found, and the 
country was so poor that a crow in going over this route 
would be compelled to "carry rations." Every vessel and all 
the canteens were ordered to be filled with water before leav- 
ing the Kentucky river, and the troops cautioned against the 
needless waste of w'ater, the inhabitants telling us the next 
running water we would see on this route would be the Lick- 
ing river, seventy miles away. 

The Fourth Tennessee left Proctor late in the afternoon 
with the remainder of the division for Hazel Green, by way 
of Compton, and marched all night to avoid the heat and 
dust. Throughout the night the weary and hungry troops 
kept tramping along the dusty road. Every now and then the 
monotony w^as broken by "Tramp, tramp, the boys are 
marching," or "Rally 'round the flag," in which all would 
join in the chorus, making the wooded road ring with these 
grand old songs. The enemy's cavalry hung upon our flanks 
and rear, picking up all stragglers and "played-out" soldiers. 
A short halt was made at Hazel Green to rest the troops. 
On the march to this place we were greatly annoyed by the 
enemy by his repeated attacks upon our rear-guard and 
flanks. 

From two officers captured at Hazel Green, the Union 
commander learned that Humphrey Alarshall and E. K. 
Smith were trying to unite their forces at West Liberty be- 
fore he could reach the latter place. In order to delay the 
march of Morgan's division as much as possible, the enemy 
moved to the front and began to blockade the almost im- 
passable roads that wound serpent-like through the ridges 
and deep defiles. About half way between Hazel Green and 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 51 

West Liberty, the enemy was encountered in one of these 
deep defiles, called Cracker's Neck, but was driven out after 
a brisk engagement by the Thirty-third Indiana, Fourth and 
Sixth Tennessee Volunteers and Foster's battery. The na- 
tives no doubt realized for the first time what real war was 
when they heard the keen crack of the rifle and the still 
louder bellowing of the cannon as the sound was echoed and 
re-echoed from hill to hill. 

After this little "set-to" the army moved without fur- 
ther interruption to West Liberty, where a halt was made 
for one day, to rest and clean up. West Liberty is a small 
place, the county seat of Morgan county, and is situated on 
the north bank of Licking River. At this place Morgan 
expected to encounter Smith and Marshall, as he was now 
occupying a central position between the two forces. It is 
said that Humphrey Marshall was a very large man, and as 
large bodies move slowly, this may account for his no.n- 
arrival at West Liberty in time to witness the parade of Mor- 
gan's division through town. 

After a rest of one day, the column was again put in 
motion for Grayson, forty-eight miles from West Liberty. 
The enemy still hung on the flanks and followed close upon 
the rear of the marching troops, and, being mounted, could 
move rapidly from place to place. At places the roads in 
our front were heavily obstructed by fallen timber, and in 
some instances it was much easier to construct a new road 
than to remove the blockade. 

In General B. W. Duke's article, entitled "Bragg's Cam- 
paign in Kentucky, 1862," is made the following mention 
of Morgan's famous retreat: "On the 17th of September, 
the Federal General, George Morgan, evacuated Cumberland 
Gap and pushed with all possible dispatch for the Ohio. 
This released Stevenson, who instantly followed with the 
whole force under his command. About the same time. 
General Humphrey Marshall was entering Kentucky from 
Virginia through Pound Gap, with about three thousand 
men, and he was directed, with the assistance of some six 



52 HISTORY OF I'IRST RKCIMENT 

hundred cavalry under General John H. Alorgan, to confront 
and detain George Morgan until Stevenson could overtake 
him and force him to battle in the mountains, surrounded by 
assailants. Marshall, however, did not reach the scene of 
operations in time to take part in the programme, and Stev- 
enson marched directly to Lexington, instead of pursuing the 
enemy. John H. ^Morgan, with the cavalry detailed for that 
purpose, placed himself directly in front of the Federal 
colunm at West Liberty on the morning of the 25th of Sep- 
tember, and was constantly engaged in skirmishing with it 
until the evening of October ist. During that time it 
marched only thirty miles. October the ist, John Morgan 
was ordered by General Smith to rejoin the army, and 
George ^lorgan continued his march unmolested." 

At no time on the retreat was General Morgan able to 
draw the daring raider into a regular engagement, his sole 
object being to annoy and hold Morgan in check imtil his 
army was overtaken by Stevenson. John H. Morgan left 
Grayson with his army late in the afternoon of October i, 
and the advance of the Union army entered during the same 
night. Here the pursuit ended, within twenty-five miles of 
the Ohio river. We found Little Sandy river dry, except a 
few pools of stagnant water, and the only way that we man- 
aged to drink it was by mixing it with cold coffee which we 
carried in our canteens. This the boys called "mixed 
drinks." 

The next morning the march was resumed and after an 
easy day's march the army bivouacked at Old Town, twelve 
miles from Grayson. The place bore the right name, and 
consisted of a blacksmith shop, a store and possibly two or 
three dwelling-houses, which looked as though they had been 
built ever since the flood. The march was continued the next 
day and late in the afternoon of the 3rd Morgan's division 
reached Greenupsburg. on the Ohio River, hungry, tired and 
foot-sore. The army had marched two hundred and fifty 
miles in sixteen days, without the loss of a wagon or gun, 
and onlv eightv men killed, wounded and missinsf. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. S3 

At this place a bountiful supply of rations was issued 
to the men, and after a hearty supper the exhausted troops 
spread their blankets on the ground near the bank of the 
Ohio River and lay down to sleep, with no roof over them 
but the starry heavens. No rain had fallen since leaving the 
Gap, and the Kentucky dust clung to the men like a brother, 
and the appearance of Morgan's little army was forlorn in 
the extreme. The suffering of the men on this march was 
very severe, having nothing ro eat for several days at a time 
excepting ears of corn plucked from the fields along the line 
of march. There was but little water to be found along the 
route taken by Morgan's army, and that as a rule was of a 
very poor quality, consequently the troops were compelled 
to quench their thirst from the few stagnant pools found 
along the road. 

A great many incidents that took place on this retreat 
make it famous, and one of peculiar interest and worthy of 
remembrance by all who participated in that long and dusty 
tramp across the State of Kentucky. Stevenson was in our 
front at Cumberland Gap, and on the withdrawal of Morgan, 
followed close upon his heels ; Kirby Smith was in our rear 
near Lexington, and Marshall up in eastern Kentucky with 
a large force, while we were closely followed by a large 
force of cavalry under John H. Morgan, who compelled us 
to move in close column. Sometiems he was in our front, 
and sometimes in our rear ; now on the right and then on the 
left, but always afraid to attack us. But after a long and 
fatiguing march of two hundred and fifty miles through a 
wild, mountainous and unproductive country, unfed, shoe- 
less, ragged and covered with the accumulated dust of six- 
teen days, the Fourth Tennessee, with the remainder of the 
army, reached the Ohio River. 

This well-known retreat of Morgan's division forms one 
of the most interesting episodes of the war, and the success 
is the more remarkable when it is known that the men were 
continually skirmishing with the enemy and were at times 
obliged to build new roads under very trying and disadvan- 



54 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

taj^cous circunistaiicos for the conveyance of the artillery 
ami wagons. Several times the troops marched the entire 
tlay without food, and one time they were thirty-four hours 
without anything^ to eat and almost a whole day without 
water. The writer recalls a feast his mess had one nig^ht near 
Hazel Green. The army had made a hard day's march on 
empty stomachs, and late in the night a halt was made, not 
to prepare supper, but to rest. Someone in the writer's mess 
had during- the day found a small pumpkin — yes. very small. 
After the camptire was lighted, that pumpkin was divided 
among eighteen hungry men, and in less time than I can tell 
it. that green pumpkin was suspended over the fire on 
eighteen sharp-pointed sticks, and before getting heated 
through was devoured without salt or any other ingredient 
to make it more palatable. 

On the morning of the 5ih, the Fourth Temiessee. with 
the remainder of the division, marclied down the south bank 
of the river about four miles, where it was taken across in 
boats. From this point the march was continued down the 
north side, through W'heelersburg to Sciotoville. where the 
regiment bivouacked for the night. We were now in a loyal 
State, and were kindly and enthusiastically received by the 
]iatriotic people of Ohio, and especially the Tennessee boys, 
(.^n the 0th. the regiment went by rail to Portland. The 
distance was short, yet it was much preferable to marching, 
and gave us a chance to rest our bruised and blistered feet. 
From Portland the army was moved a short distance east to 
a place called Oak Hill. Here we were kindly received by 
the people, whose cordial welcome soon made us forget the 
hardships of the retreat. 

While at this camp, the men had time to think over and 
reflect upon the exciting scenes through which they had just 
passed. At the Gap and on the retreat we were completely 
cut off from tlie authorities at Washington, as well as friends 
at home. Xo letters, no newspapers or infomiation as to 
our condition, could be sent or received. Our friends be- 
came uneasy, as we were strangers in a strange land : but 



TENNKSSKK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 55 

when we finally ?:ot out of the "wilderness," what a vast 
amount of news was nnfolclcd to us ! 

The followinfT telec^ranis will .c^ivc the reader an idea of 
how hard the Confederates tried to capture Moro^an and his 

men : 

Lexington, Ky., September 19, 1862. 
Li.'.uT. E. Cunningham to Col. John H. Morgan: 

Hcth was ordered in pursuit of Gen. 0. W. Morgan, and to de- 
stroy all the mills and grain at Manchester. 

Richmond, Va., September 19, 1862. 
SncRETARY oE War to General Jones : 

The enemy have left Cumberland Gap, pursued by Stevenson. 

Lexington, Ky., September 24, 1862. 
Gen. Kirpa' Smith to Gen. Stevenson: Push Morgan. 

Lexington, Ky., September 25, 1862. 
Gen. Kirby Smith to Gen. Bragg: 

I have ordered my entire force to Mt. Sterling to try to inter- 
cept Gen. Morgan. 

The camp of the Fourth Tennessee was in a jSfrove of 
timber, and while at this place a new outfit of clothing was 
issued to the men, the old ones and their inhabitants being 
consigned to the flames. Before leaving this camp, a great 
feast was given us by the loyal and patriotic citizens of Oak 
Hill and vicinity, and our wants, which were many and 
various, were soon all supplied. Roast beef, boiled ham, 
baked turkey and chicken, bread, cakes, pies and other things 
in tempting profusion were piled on long, parallel rows of 
tables, and at a given signal the hungry men of Morgan's 
command moved forward in splendid order and took pos- 
session. After satisfying their craving stomachs, the differ- 
ent regiments were marched back to camp. This act of kind- 
ness will long be remembered by the men composing the 
Fourth Tennessee, and will be treasured up as one of the 
pleasant memories of Camp Oak Hill. 

After a stay of two weeks, resting and cleaning up, the 
Fourth Tennessee and the remainder of the brigade broke 
camp and marched to Gallipolis, where it camped for the 
night. The next morning the brigade was marched some 



56 HISTORY OF FIRST RKCIMEXT 

throe miles north of GalHpohs. on the Point Pleasant road, 
where a camp was established near the Ohio River. It was 
still dry and dnsty, but in this latitude the nights were get- 
ting quite cool. 

When Morgan's army evacuated Cumberland Gap, all 
the tents were destroyed, and up to this time his troops were 
still without tents. There was plenty of rations for the 
troops and forage for the horses and mules, but wood was 
issued in such limited quantity that we were unable to keep 
warm. Complaint was made through the proper channel 
for relief, but from some cause none came. There were 
plenty of good, dry rails near by. and we concluded that 
there would be no hann in just taking "the top rail." but 
with some of the boys "the top rail" lasted until the gjound 
was reached. This move proved to be the right one, for in 
a few days \\ool1 was hauled into camp by the cord, and all 
complaint ceased, and of course we ceased burning rails. 
Tents were furnished us, and for the first time in two months 
we enjoyed the almost forgotten luxury of sleeping in tents. 
The regiment was in splendid condition, the men were 
healthy and in excellent spirits, notwithstanding their long 
and fatiguing march from Cumberland Gap. and at that time 
nimibered seven hundred and forty-eight men. 

While at this place, a welcome visitor appeared in our 
camp in the person of one of "Uncle Sam's" pa^inasters. 
The Fourth Tennessee drew its first money from the gov- 
ernment it was so faithfully serving. There were six months" 
pay due the regiment, and after this event new. crisp green- 
back bills and fractional cunency were plentiful in camp — 
and of course the sutler was as happy as the boys were, for 
a large portion of their hard earnings was due him. 

Company and battalion drills, dress parades and reviews, 
which were unknown on the retreat, were now revived, and 
all the extra time was spent in reviewing the early lessons 
of the regiment in "Hardee's tactics." The weather, which 
up to the middle of the month had been dry and wann. now 
changed to cold, and on the 20th snow fell to the depth of 




AHiAIY HAKl) TACK 










TAKlNt- THK TO!' HAIL 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 57 

about four inches, which whitened up old IMother Earth and 
gave everything a wintery appearance. Part of Morgan's 
division had already gone up the Kanawha Valley as far as 
Charleston, West Virginia, and the Twenty-fifth Brigade was 
expecting marching orders at any moment. 

The Fourth Tennessee performed its last service at this 
place as a "flat-footed" infantry regiment — as will be seen 
by the following order — as Colonel Johnson had received 
orders to take his regiment to Camp Dennison, Ohio, for 
the purpose of being mounted and equipped for the cavalry 
service. The Fourth Tennessee was soon to part from and 
lose the companionship of the Third, Fifth and Sixth Ten- 
nessee Volunteers, composing the Twenty-fifth Brigade, of 
which Johnson's Fourth Tennessee had been a member ever 
since the organization of the brigade, before the capture of 
Cumberland Gap. The regiment had passed through the 
Cumberland Gap campaign, had marched and fought around 
this great stronghold, had shared alike the dangers and hard- 
ships of the march and the retreat through the hills and 
mountains of Kentucky, and now, in the golden month of 
October, we were to part and prepare for a new service. 

The Fourth Tennessee left camp and marched back to 
Portland. At this place a sad accident happened. Robert 
Howell, quartermaster of the regiment, was thrown from a 
buggy and killed. From this place the regiment proceeded 
by rail to Camp Dennison, by way of Hamden and Chilli- 
cothe. Nothing of special interest occurred while en route 
to our destination except the loss of a few hats. The train 
bearing the regiment reached Camp Dennison in the after 
part of the night, and the men immediately left the cars and 
lay down near the track and slept until daylight. 

The next morning the sound of the bugles and the rattle 
of drums were heard all over the camp. Colonel Johnson re- 
ported to the commander of Camp Dennison, and by his 
orders the regiment was moved to the south side of the camp 
and placed in the barracks. This camp is eighteen miles east 
of Cincinnati, and was named "Camp Dennison" in honor 



58 HISTORY OF FIRST REC.IMFXT 

of Ohio's war Governor — WilHain Dennison. It was a 
regular rocruitiiii^ camp for the Union army, and thonsands 
of loyal and patriotic citizens were converted into United 
States soldiers at this camp. The only regiments the writer 
can recall that were there at that time were the Seventh Ohio 
Cavalry ami a regiment of sharp-shooters, yet the barracks 
were all full and during drill hours infantry, cavalry and 
artillery were seen all over the camp, going through the dif- 
ferent evolutions. 

The buildings were all new and provided with kitchens, 
mess-halls and sleeping-quarters, and were large enough to 
accommodate a full company. One side of the barracks was 
used for sleeping-quarters for the men, while the other was 
provided with racks for the guns and accoutrements. The 
camp was supplied with water, which was pumped from 
the Little ^liami River, a short distance from camp, and 
conveyed in pipes to all portions of the camp. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 



59 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE FOURTH TENNESSEE MOUNTED — MUSKETS TO CARBINES — 
INCIDENTS AT CAMP DENNISON — ORDERED TO MURFREES- 
j^ORO — FIRST SABER CHARGE — HALF IN HOSPITALS — RES- 
IGNATION OF COLONEL JOHNSON — REORGANIZATION OF 
THE CAN' \LRY — BROWNLOW WEARS THE EAGLE. 

On the first day of November, 1862, Johnson's Fourth 
Regiment Tennessee VoUinteers ceased to exist, and the 
long-cherished hope of being mounted was now about to 
materiaHze. The regiment was recruited for the cavalry 
service, but the very large number of troops called out early 
in the war had taxed the government beyond its capacity 
to arm and equip the troops for the various branches of the 
service. The task of mounting and equipping a regiment 
of cavalry in the early part of the war was one of great 
magnitude, for at that time but few equipments could be 
obtained, and they were generally of the old pattern. Prior 
to 1861, the government had paid but little attention to this 
branch of the service, and even as late as 1862 it was almost 
impossible to procure arms and equipments for the cavalry 
regiments that were then being organized. 

One great mistake made by our generals early in the 
war was in the scattered condition of the cavalry. Their 
efficiency was almost wholly destroyed by the dividing up 
of regiments and brigades into such small detachments that 
as a rule they could not accomplish what was expected of 
them; but in 1863-4, when the cavalry was organized into 
brigades, divisions and corps, like the infantry, and com- 
petent commanders, such as Sheridan, Custer, Stoneman, 
Wilson, Stanley, McCook and Hatch, placed in command, 
we find them doing deadly work on such bloody battle- 



60 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

fields as Cedar Creek, Gettysbiiro^. Chickamauga, Franklin, 
Nashville and scores of other hard-fought battles, where the 
cavalry guidons were seen fluttering in the breeze amid shot 
and shell. 

The First Tennessee had been serving as an infantry 
regiment for eight months, but on the first of November it 
exchanged muskets for carbines and was regularly mus- 
tered as the First Regiment Tennessee \''olunteer Cavalry 
by Robert S. Smith, Lieutenant Second United States Cav- 
alry. The First Tennessee was now recruited up to a war 
standard for a cavalry regiment. When the report reached 
East Tennessee that Johnson's regiment was to be mounted, 
recruits came in rapidly, and soon L and jNI, the two new 
companies, and the ten old ones, were full. The following 
are the original line ofiicers of the two new companies, or- 
ganized at Camp Dennison : 

Company L. 
Captain. James E. Colville; First Lieutenant, J. N. B. Lusk; 
Second Lieutenant, Moses Wiley. 

Company M. 
Captain. Joseph A. Collins; First Lieutenant, Samuel Lane; 
Second Lieutenant. Geo. T. Harris. 

The First Tennessee began the cavalry drill under the 
able instructions of Captain Hunter, of Company A, who 
was appointed drill-master of the regiment. The men were 
required to drill six hours each day, while the commissioned 
and non-commissioned officers were put through an extra 
number of hours mornings and afternoons. Julius E. 
Thomas, of Company F, was appointed chief bugler of the 
regiment, with one man from each of the twelve companies 
for company bugler, and the tr-r-r-r-rat, tr-rat-tat, tr-rat-a- 
tat-tat of the drums was sweet music compared with the 
horrid sound from all the blare of bugles as they took up the 
cavalry calls, as follows : reveille, roll-call, stable-call, sick- 
call, drill-call, officers'-call. retreat and taps or lights out — 
yet musical when distance lends enchantment. 

A detail was made and sent to Camp Monroe, a short 



TENNESSEE VOIJJNTEER CAVALRY. 61 

distance north of Camp Dennison, for horses and wagons 
for the regiment. The horses were all hitched to long- lines 
of "picket-rope," and then came the difficult task of select- 
ing and placing the different colors together for the twelve 
companies, no two colors to be the same. The "color com- 
pany" — C — was to have the first choice, and the men selected 
the black horses, and, strange to say, they proved to be the 
sorriest of the lot. Company D drew the grays, the best and 
hardiest. Saddles, bridles, halters, curry-combs and brushes 
were provided as rapidly as possible, and when stable-call 
was sounded each man was expected to repair to the stable, 
feed and groom his horse. The following lines are sug- 
gestive of the duty and the consecjuences of non-compliance : 

"Come all that are able and go to the stable, 
And curry and feed your horses well, 
For if you don't do it, the Colonel will know it. 
And he will give you particular ." 

Camp Dennison presented a lively and warlike appear- 
ance in the autumn of 1862. Cavalry, infantry and artillery, 
fully equipped, were to be seen on every hand, drilling at 
the same time. The First Tennessee began the cavalry drill, 
mounted, as soon as saddles and bridles were provided, for 
the horses required training as well as the men, in wheeling, 
marching, trotting and charging. Fretful and unruly horses 
had to get accustomed to the jam and pressure in wheeling 
and the excitement of the charge. Wild and unruly horses 
"cut terrible capers" when the regiment was firing mounted, 
and it was no uncommon thing to see a trooper tumbled 
headlong to the ground, sometimes badly hurt. But awk- 
ward horses were soon broken, and by constant practice the 
First Tennessee was soon brought up to a degree of pro- 
ficiency that well fitted it for the field. 

New suits of blue uniforms, trimmed in yellow, hats 
ornamented with feathers, and a brass bugle or cross-sabers 
were issued, and when a comrade from some other command 
asked what regiment we belonged to, the polite answer was 
invariably, "Same old regiment, only got new clothes." The 



62 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

rcg^iment was well armed and equipped. Every man. in ad- 
dition to a breech-loading carbine, carried a revolver and a 
light cavalry saber, each trooper being a whole arsenal in 
himself. The First Tennessee was composed of hardy East 
Tennesseans who had been driven from their homes, and 
were patiently awaiting the time when they could proudly 
follow the "old flag" back to Tennessee. The troops en- 
joyed the best of health at Camp Dennison, and with full 
rations the men recruited up and almost forgot the long and 
fatiguing march from Cumberland Gap through the moun- 
tains of Eastern Kentucky. 

While the regiment lay at Camp Dennison, several 
changes took place in the way of resignations and promo- 
lions. The following officers tendered their resignations: 
]\Iajor James O. Berry and Surgeon P. W. Logan. Captain 
i\I. T. Burkhart, Company C, was promoted to First IMajor; 
W. R. Tracy was elected Second Major; John S. Jones was 
promoted to Surgeon, and James H. Jones to First Assistant 
Surgeon; Adjutant, Chas. H. Bentley; Quartermaster, John 
H. James ; Commissary, Isaac B. Self, of Greeneville. 

The following non-commissioned staff officers were ap- 
pointed by Colonel Johnson : Quartermaster Sergeant. 
Daniel S. Fox, of Company H ; Commissary Sergeant. \\"m. 
F. Self, of Company I; Hospital Steward. Oliver O'Xeal. 
of Company D ; Chief Bugler. Julius E. Thomas, of Com- 
])any F ; Saddle Sergeant, Wm. P. Liford. of Company G ; 
W'agonmaster, W. J. Bise. of Company C ; Regimental Post- 
master. D. A. Brooks, of Company C. 

The promotion of Captain Burkhart, Company C. to 
IMajor, left a vacancy which was filled by the promotion of 
First Lieutenant E. J. Cannon. Second Lieutenant J. K. 
Jones was promoted to First Lieutenant, and First Sergeant 
John Roberts was promoted to Second Lieutenant. The 
writer, who had been elected First Corporal of Company C 
at its organi.ration. was promoted to Sergeant. There was 
a general "advance" all around, caused by the promotion of 
Captain Burkhart to Major. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 63 

The First Tennessee kept up its drill at Camp Dennison 
until the 24th clay of December, 1862. On the 26th, General 
Rosecrans ordered his army to advance from Nashville to 
Murfreesboro, the latter place being held by Bragg. At the 
same time, John H. Morgan was sent by Bragg into Ken- 
tucky for the purpose of destroying General Rosecran's com- 
munications. This unexpected movement of Morgan along 
the Louisville & Nashville railroad made it necessary for 
the hurrying forward of all the troops at Camp Dennison to 
protect the road that was supplying Rosecrans' army. Col- 
onel Johnson received orders on the 24th to move his regi- 
ment the next day to Louisville, by way of Cincinnati. 

The comfortable barracks that the First Tennessee had 
been enjoying for two months at Camp Dennison were now 
to be abandoned for the tented field almost in mid-winter, 
but the thought of returning to the old "Volunteer State" so 
thrilled the men that they could hardly wait for the order 
to march. Christmas eve was spent in packing up for the 
march to Cincinnati. The First Tennessee marched out 
from Camp Dennison on the 24th, with 1,260 men in line — 
said to be the largest regiment that ever left that noted 
camp. 

The regiment marched direct to Cincinnati, eighteen 
miles distant, and there embarked on government transports 
for Louisville. The streets along the line of march were 
crowded with soldiers and citizens, who gave us a royal 
greeting. This embarkation will long be remembered by 
the members of the First Tennessee Cavalry for its exciting 
scenes, as well as novel. The transports lay along the bank 
of the Ohio River, with their gang-ways thrown out, and 
then came the "tug of war," coaxing and pulling horses and 
mules along the narrow gang-planks to the boats. Occasion- 
ally a horse or a mule would become unruly and back off the 
treacherous walk and fall into the chilly water — sometimes 
feet foremost, sometimes feet uppermost. Whistles were 
blowing, bells ringing, officers and men yelling and shouting, 
as the process of loading went on. By 9 p. m. the task 



64 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

of loading was completed, and we all lay down beneath the 
twinkling- stars and were soon fast asleep. 

The following day was our first "Alerry Christmas" 
spent in the army, consequently the boys were up early to 
view the sights, which were constantly changing. Splendid 
farms, with their cozy-looking cottages, beautiful villages, 
with now and then a passing steamer with its deep, bass 
whistle, were seen as we glided down the Ohio. The trans- 
ports carrying the regiment were rocking and quivering 
under a lull head of steam, while from the huge stacks 
clouds of smoke were rolled and tossed by the morning 
breeze. 

Late in the afternoon the transports reached Louisville 
without accident, and the men were glad enough to once 
more press "Mother Earth." The camp selected was near 
the fair-grounds on the N., C. & St. L. road. On reaching 
Louisville we found that it was exceedingly cold, with driv- 
ing storms of rain and snow, making soldiering very un- 
pleasant. 

]\Iorgan had moved north as far as Elizabethtown, de- 
stroying on the way bridges, trestles and depots, capturing 
the garrisons at Muldraugh's Hill and Elizabethtown, and 
was still moving toward Louisville. Thirty miles south, the 
Louisville & Nashville railroad crosses Salt River, and evi- 
dently Morgan intended to destroy this bridge before turn- 
ing south. The First Tennessee was ordered to move at 
once to Shepardsville, on Salt River, to reinforce the garri- 
son at that place. We left Louisville at 9 p. m., and after 
a very cold and disagreeable march reached Salt River at 
daylight. ^Morgan was so hotly pursued by the Union troops 
that he was unable to reach the bridge over Salt River, now 
turned east and at Rolling Fork of Salt River was overtaken 
and defeated by Harlan's troops. Morgan moved toward 
Bardstown, pursued by the Union cavalry, and when near 
Lebanon he was overtaken and roughly handled. He now 
turned south and left the State, having done considerable 
damage, but suffered heavv loss. 





^ 




FIRST LIEUTENANT A. J. C4AHAGAN, COMPANY D 



I 

I 

I 



TENNKSSKF, VOT,UNTEER CAVALRY. 65 

The First Tennessee was ordered to return to Louisville, 
where it remained for two weeks, scouting extensively dur- 
inr^ bitter cold weather. Shortly after General Morgan was 
driven out of Kentucky, Colonel Johnson was ordered to 
move his regiment to Nashville. This order vv'as the cause 
of great rejoicing in the ranks of the First Tennessee, and 
was cheerfully obeyed, as the regiment would now have an 
opportunity of proudly marching through the streets of the 
capital city. The First Tennessee left a considerable num- 
ber sick in the hospitals when it left Louisville, and this 
sickness, which owed its origin to hardship and exposure, 
was also increased in severity from want of proper drainage 
at "Camp Oakland," the name of the camp where the regi- 
ment lay. 

On the 9th day of January, 1863, the First Tennessee 
broke camp and marched through Louisville, taking the 
Bardstown turnpike. The day was cloudy and threatening, 
but not very cold. In the middle of the afternoon a drizzling 
rain commenced falling, making marching very unpleasant, 
and as night approached it began to turn cold. The First 
Tennessee reached Bardstown about 8 p. m., and went intO' 
camp in the fair-ground, which proved to be a great blessing" 
to the men and horses, for during the night a terrible snow- 
storm set in and raged for twenty-four hours, the snow fall- 
ing to a depth of twenty-six inches. The regiment was com- 
pelled to lay up four or five days to allow the "scorching"" 
rays of a winter sun to melt the snow so the march could be 
resumed. 

From Bardstown, the First Tennessee marched to 
Mumfordsville, which place it reached the 19th, where it 
crossed Green River. All the bridges along the line of march 
had been burned by Morgan only a few weeks before when 
he made his raid along the Louisville & Nashville railroad. 
Resuming the march, the regiment moved on to Glasgow 
and bivouacked for the night. Moved early the next morn- 
ing and at 12:30 p. m. crossed the State line, where Colonel 
Johnson made a short address, after which we marched 



66 HISTORY OF riRST KEGTMENT 

throu£i:h Scotlsville and Gallatin, reaching Nashville on the 
17th. and went into a camp already prepared for the regi- 
ment about one mile north of the city. 

It will be remembered that the Colonel of the First Ten- 
nessee was a son of Andrew Johnson, then military governor 
of Tennessee, and when he learned that his son's regiment 
was on the way to Nashville, he had new tents put up for the 
officers and men, with a bountiful supply of clean straw in 
each one, picket-ropes stretched, and plenty of wood for 
cooking purposes ; in fact, nothing was left undone that 
would add to the comfort of the men. On reaching Nash- 
ville, wc found the weather cold and disagreeable, and the 
boys certainly did enjoy and appreciate this very kind and 
thoughtful act of Governor Johnson. 

Nashville presented a busy and warlike scene at that 
time, it being a very important distributing point for the 
army. The "old flag" proudly floated from the dome of the 
capitol of Tennessee, while from the frowning forts the 
great, black-throated "dogs of war" peeped through the em- 
brasures, indicating safety to the city. Troops hurrying to 
the front, ambulances, army wagons, carriages and the clat- 
ter of hoofs, jingling of sabers, the dash of aides and order- 
lies, combined to make it one of the liveliest cities in all the 
land. 

After the battle of Stone River, General Bragg's army 
fell back and took up a strong position north of Duck River, 
his line extending from Shelbyville to jManchester, with de- 
tachments thrown forward to hold Hoover's, Liberty's and 
Guy's Gaps, with Tullahoma his center and chief base of 
supplies. Rosecrans' army was encamped in and around 
Murfreesboro, and until the railroad to Nashville was put 
in running order all supplies were transported in army 
wagons. Shortly after the occupation of Alurfreesboro by 
the Union army, elaborate and extensive forts and rifle-pits 
were laid out and built on all the high ground along Stone 
River and near the town, railroad and turnpikes. These 
defenses cost months of hard labor and afterwards furnished 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 67 

a refuge for the troops stationed at that point for the pro- 
tection of supplies and communications. 

The First Tennessee during its brief stay at Nashville 
was kept busy scouting in all directions. Before Franklin 
was garrisoned by the Union army, the regiment was or- 
dered on the 1st day of February to make a reconnoissance 
to Franklin, eighteen miles south of Nashville. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Brownlow marched the regiment toward Franklin, 
reaching there at dark, and at once plunged into Harpeth 
River at an unknown ford, and in a short time the town was 
alive with Yankees. As the sharp crack of the carbine 
rang out on the still night air, the startled inhabitants 
rushed to their doors to learn the cause of the firing. The 
town was full of Confederate officers and men, who had 
come in to spend the night — for near by lay Van Dorn's 
army — not thinking of a live Yankee being any closer to their 
camp than Nashville. Colonel BrOwnlow, fearing that word 
would be sent to the enemy's camp, quietly withdrew his 
men, recrossed the Harpeth, and by daylight was well on the 
way to Nashville with his regiment and prisoners. Company 
C mourned the loss of the brave and noble Christian soldier, 
First Corporal James M. Chanaberry, who fell in the streets 
of Franklin, a bullet having pierced his brain. 

Early in February, the First Tennessee was ordered to 
strike tents and march to Concord Church, on the Nolens- 
ville turnpike, eleven miles southeast of Nashville, where 
the regiment was temporarily attached to General J. B. 
Steedman's division. Fourteenth Corps, at that time the ex- 
treme right of the Union army. In Steedman's immediate 
front lay a large and well-equipped force of the enemy's 
cavalry, under General Joe Wheeler, one of Bragg's able 
and trusted commanders, and as the First Tennessee was 
the only cavalry regiment in Steedman's division, the duty 
performed by it was of the severest kind. The regiment 
was constantly in the saddle and on the go night and day, 
picketing, foraging, scouting and skirmishing. The writer 
can scarcely recall a single night when the entire regiment 



68 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

was allowed to enjoy a night of undisturbed repose, so con- 
stantly were the enemy attacking and driving in the Union 
outposts. 

General Steedman's command encamped at Concord 
Church until the last of February, when he was ordered by 
Rosecrans to move his command to Triune, a distance of 
ten miles, and entrench his camp. But before making this 
move,. Steedman ordered Colonel Johnson to take his regi- 
ment and reconnoitre the country well beyond Triune, and 
in executing this order the First Tennessee drew its first 
blood with the saber. Four miles south of Triune, the Col- 
lege Grove turnpike crosses Harpeth River, a small stream, 
but sufficiently large to obstruct an army advancing into an 
enemy's country. 

The First Tennessee, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brown- 
low, moved out from camp at Concord Church and pushed 
on through Triune, crossing Harpeth River at night, and 
moved through College Grove toward Chapel Hill, finding 
only small detachments of the enemy, which were brushed 
out of the way, and at daylight Colonel Brownlow threw out 
a strong rear-guard and started for camp. The return trip 
was made quietly and without serious opposition until the 
regiment reached Harpeth River, when the enemy, who were 
concealed near the turnpike, opened fire on the rear-guard 
and at the same time rushed upon the First Tennessee with 
their well-known "rebel yell." It seemed that the plan was 
to make the attack while the regiment was crossing the river, 
expecting to throw it into confusion and kill and capture it. 
But they were sadly disappointed in their plan. 

Notwithstanding the suddenness of the attack, no symp- 
toms of panic were seen in the ranks of the First Tennessee. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow formed the regiment into line 
of battle and in a few minutes a solid sheet of tire burst from 
the nuizzles of the carbines, as volley after volley was poured 
into their ranks. The enemy could not stand the rapid vol- 
leys, and began to fall back, when Brownlow ordered the 
regiment to diarge with saber, which it did in gallant style. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 69 

and soon the enemy were sent flying, with bleeding heads, 
in all directions. After driving the enemy back three or 
four miles, Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow halted the regi- 
ment, for fear of being drawn into a ''trap." 

The First Tennessee returned to camp without further 
molestation, taking with it about one hundred prisoners, 
most of them being wounded with the saber, some having 
two and three wounds each. The dead and badly wounded 
were left on the field. On returning to camp, General 
Steedman issued an order congratulating the officers and 
men of the First Tennessee for gallantry on the field. In 
this engagement, the First Tennessee lost two men wounded 
— Sergeant Joseph J. Beal, of Company E, and Private Wm. 
H. Osmit, of Company L, the former being severely wounded 
in the left shoulder. General Steedman moved his entire 
command to Triune, and went into camp to the left of the 
turnpike, where it remained until the advance of the army 
in June. 

Colonel Josiah Patterson, Fourth Alabama Cavalry, has 
this to say of this engagement : "My regiment was often 
pitted against Jim Brownlow's famous First Tennessee Cav- 
alry, and numerous interesting incidents were related in ref- 
erence to these passages at arms. In 1863, my regiment was 
stationed near Triune, and Brownlow's regiment was oper- 
ating in the same locality at the same time. Both organiza- 
tions were game and well equipped, and it was hard to tell 
which enjoyed a fight the most. Colonel Brownlow once 
sent me word to meet his regiment at Rigg's Cross Roads, 
and he would whip my regiment like h — 1. We did not meet 
at that place, but shortly after that my Lieutenant-Colonel 
took into his head to capture Brownlow's regiment, and for 
this purpose entered into a plan with two other regiments, 
which were to attack from the rear. Luckily for Brownlow, 
he had an infantry support, which our men were ignorant 
of, and when my regiment attacked him from the rear, it 
got into a hornet's nest. Brownlow ordered a charge, and 
in less than no time my regiment was getting out of there 



70 HISTORY 01? FIRST REGIMENT 

in a hurrry. with tlio mountaineers whacking at them with 
their sabers right and left. About two hundred of my men 
were captured in this engagement," 

Colonel Patterson is m.istaken about an infantry sup- 
port, as no other troops except the First Tennessee Cavalry 
were engaged at this place and time. This charge was made 
in a blinding snow-storm. 

To give a detailed account of all the movements of the 
regiment during its stay at Triune would require too much 
space, but enough will be given to convey to the reader that 
the First Tennessee was not idle during the time, the long 
list of casualties being the best evidence of duty well per- 
formed. 

After the army had settled down to camp life at Triune, 
the First Tennessee was kept busy all the time picketing and 
patrolling the country around camp, and so vigilant was 
the regiment on this outpost duty that not a single surprise 
of the L'nion camp occurred. A large force of Confederate 
cavalry was encamped at Chapel Hill, fifteen miles from 
Triune, and from this point the commander would almost 
daily send out detachments to attack our pickets, and to get 
even with them Colonel Brownlow would often move the 
regiment out beyond his outposts and form it in line of 
battle, then take a small detachment and quietly move in 
their rear, and with drawn sabers charge into their ranks, 
creating the wildest confusion and disorder, often capturing 
more prisoners than he had men. 

Sometimes Colonel Brownlow would march his regi- 
ment out near the enemy's outposts and form it in line of 
battle, send forward a company to fire on their pickets and 
arouse their camp, and keep them in line of battle all day in 
anticipation of an attack, and at night fall back and leave 
them to fonn their own conclusions. Again, the daring 
Colonel of the First Tennessee would move his regiment 
close to the enemy's camp, drive in their pickets, and have 
his bugler to impudently blow "boots and saddles." 

On the 9th of April, the First Temiessee was ordered 



TENNESSEE VOUTNTEER CAVALRY. 7l 

to Franklin to reinforce the garrison, which was threatened 
by a large force of cavalry and infantry, under Van Dorn 
and Wheeler. Reinforcements were rapidly approaching 
Franklin from all directions, and Van Dorn, having met with 
so much opposition and such stubborn resistance on his 
approach to Franklin, retreated without making a general 
attack. After a few days of skirmishing around Franklin, 
the regiment returned to camp at Triune. 

There were numerous sharp engagements between the 
First Tennessee and the enemy, under Wheeler and Whar- 
ton, near our camp, in which the regiment sustained consid- 
erable loss. The names of Rigg's Cross Roads and College 
Grove are as familiar as a household name to the surviving 
members of the First Tennessee. In the former engage- 
ment, April i6, the regiment sustained the following loss : 

Killed — Company I, Jacob Mysinger. 

IVoimded — Company D, William Riddle ; Company C, 
Sergeant O. N. Miller, John M. Harris and Robert Adair. 

The latter two received three wounds each, which were 
thought to be mortal, but, being blessed, with strong consti- 
tutions and by good nursing, they finally recovered and are 
at this date still living, but very much shattered in health. 

In the battle May 8, the killed, wounded and captured 
were as follows : 

Killed — Company C, Alexander Blain ; Company B, 
James Dooley. 

Wounded — Company F, Sergeant W. J. Randolph ; 
Company C, Robert Hixon, slightly wounded in left cheek 
and captured; Company G, Captain I. C. Leger. 

When Robert Hixon was captured, he had a fat turkey 
strapped to his saddle, which he proposed to present to 
Colonel Brownlow when he reached camp. Wheeler, find- 
ing this Qut, sent word to Brownlow that he had one of his 
men and a turkey prisoners, and that he would take good 
care of his man, but would dine on his turkey that dav him- 
self. 

There was a great deal of sickness and a very large 



72 HISTORY OF FIRST RKCIMENT 

number of deaths in the First Tennessee while encamped 
at Triune, the reg^iment losing- thirty-one men by death — the 
greatest number that ever died at any one camp during the 
war. This sickness and high death-rate was no doubt caused 
by exposure during the cold, wet months of winter and 
spring, as the regiment was constantly in the saddle night 
and day. taking the weather as it came without complaint. 

On ^lay 31. Colonel Robert Johnson tendered his resig- 
nation as conunander of the First Tennessee, on account of 
ill health. He was the first colonel, and by his kind treat- 
ment of the officers and men won their respect and con- 
fidence. Lieutenant-Colonel James P. Brownlow was im- 
mediately promoted to colonel — a promotion he well de- 
served, for he was the real commander before his promotion 
to colonel. 

The country for miles around Triune became very 
familiar to the First Tennessee by its frequent visits, for 
the regiment had scouted and marched along the narrow 
country roails and the splendid turnpikes by night as well as 
by day. During our stay at Triune, the regiment became 
famous for dash and courage, and earned for itself the name 
of "the fighting First Tennessee Cavalry." a name that was 
never disgraced upon the battlefield. The First Tennessee 
was widely and favorably known, and the soldierly bearing 
of the officers and men in action and their patient endurance 
on the march were frequently recogiiized by its com- 
manders. 

About the middle of June all of the cavalry in the 
Army of the Cumberland was reorganized by General D. S. 
Stanley, and fonned into a corps. In the reorganization 
the First Tennessee, Second Michigan and Xinth Pennsyl- 
vania formed the First Brig^ade. the First Brigade fomiing 
a part of the First Division, with Colonel A. P. Campbell. 
Second Michigan, commanding the brig-ade. General R. B. 
Mitchell the division, and General Stanley the corps. 

From now until the forward movement, our time was 
spent in reviews, inspections and drills, preparatory for a 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 73 

g^encral advance. Before leavinp^ Triune, the following of- 
ficers sent in their resignations: Majors M. T. Burkhart and 
Abraham Hammond. First Lieutenant C. M. Dyer, Com- 
pany H, was promoted to First Major, and First Lieutenant 
Russell Thornburqh, of Company K, was promoted to Sec- 
ond Major. 

The large tents that had protected us so well during 
the winter from cold and rain were exchanged for shelter- 
tents — "dog-tents" the boys called them. Everything was 
put in trim for an active campaign and a grand forward 
movement. In active campaigning, the soldier carries his 
small tent (dog) and he and the comrade who is his "part- 
ner" put the two pieces together, which makes a comfortable 
protection from the weather. His haversack contains his 
rations, while from his belt or saddle clatters a small coffee- 
pot or pail, and in less than a half-hour after a halt the 
veteran knows how to prepare a wholesome meal of bacon, 
coffee and crackers, familiarly known as "hard-tack." This 
new-fangled tent was very appropriately named by the boys, 
and was little better than no tent. 



HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER V. 

TULI.AHOMA CAMPAIGN — THE ADVANCE — GUY's GAP — TEN 
THOUSAND CAVALRY ON A WILD CHARGE — WHEELER 
FORCED TO SWIM DUCK RIVER — BRAGG LEAVES TENNESSEE 
HISTORIC CAMP MOVEMENTS OF THE CAVALRY — CON- 
CENTRATION AT STEVENSON — PREPARING FOR AN AD- 
VANCE. 

On the 23rd day of June, the First Tennessee struck 
tents and with the remainder of the cavalry moved out along 
the Eaglesville turnpike, encountering the enemy near 
Eaglesville. After a brisk skirmish, the enemy fell back 
toward Rover, pursued by Campbell's brigade. The enemy 
kept a battery on the turnpike, which annoyed our advance 
a great deal, and when pressed too close it limbered up and 
moved to the rear. In the middle of the afternoon the 
enemy made a stand near Rover, and a sharp engagement 
ensued, in which they were repulsed and driven from the 
field in confusion. 

The First Tennessee was on the right of the line during 
the engagement, and after the enemy had fallen back, and 
while waiting for orders to advance, the enemy appeared 
upon the right flank of the regiment and opened a brisk fire, 
followed by a charge upon our line, but before they reached 
us, Colonel Brownlow changed front and drove them back 
in confusion. In this engagement, the First Tennessee lost 
two killed — Reuben DeBoard, Company E, and James 
Kirkpatrick, Company H. In this action, Colonel Brown- 
low's horse was shot from under him. 

Just here I want to relate an incident that occurred 
during the wild charge of the enemy upon the First Ten- 
nessee. A single horseman, well mounted, was seen to leave 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 75 

the ranks of his friends and dash at our line as if he meant 
to capture it. As he passed the First Tennessee, hundreds 
of shots were fired at him, but still he came dashing along, 
and when in front of the Second Michigan, they opened 
fire, and still the horse charged madly on, bearing his rider, 
who seemed to have a charmed life. The firing ceased, and 
all were amazed to think a man could escape instant death 
amid such a shower of lead. At last his wild charge ended 
and the wonderful mystery was fully solved. Both bridle 
reins had been cut by a bullet and his horse, in the excite- 
ment, refused to cease charging, and all that the rider could 
do was to grasp the pommel of his saddle and "hang on" 
while running the gauntlet. His clothes were perforated 
with bullets, his horse wounded in many places, but, strange 
to say, the man's body was not touched. It is doubtful if he 
breathed at all during his charge on Campbell's brigade. 

The brigade bivouacked on the field, and early the next 
morning the march was resumed, passing through Versailles 
and on to Middleton, where Campbell's brigade overtook 
the enemy and a sharp engagement ensued during a drench- 
ing rain. Stanley's cavalry was now on the extreme right 
of the Union army, and had in the two days driven the 
enemy's cavalry toward Guy's Gap, on the Shelbyville turn- 
pike. 

Heavy rains continued to fall, making all roads impass- 
able except the turnpikes. Our bivouacs were indeed un- 
pleasant, being in mud and rain, with no covering save wet 
blankets and ponchos, but the First Tennessee had long 
since learned by hard experience that a good, comfortable 
bed could be made by placing two rails side by side. 

It was General Rosecrans' plan to make a strong dem- 
onstration on Bragg's left with the cavalry and a portion of 
his infantry, while he, with the remainder, would make a 
bold move on Manchester, compelling him to give up his 
strong position at Tullahoma. Early on the morning of the 
27th, Stanley moved his cavalry from Christiana to Guy's 
Gap, followed by the reserve corps, under Grainger. This 



76 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

part of Bragrg's line was held by Polk's corps, with all of 
Martin's and a portion of Wharton's division of cavalry 
under Wheeler, well posted in Guy's Gap. Stanley formed 
his cavalry in line of battle within one mile of the Gap in 
two lines division fronts. Occasionally the sun would peep 
through the flying clouds to witness this great war pageant 
of ten thousand cavalry marching in perfect order with 
bands plaving and colors flying. As the long lines of blue 
moved forward in line of battle, fields of young growing 
corn and the golden wheat ready for the sickle rapidly dis- 
appeared under the steady tramp, tramp of thousands of 
horses. 

A line of skirmishers was thrown out, and the column 
ordered forward. The Confederates, from the crest of the 
hill, could witness all of our movements, and as the ad- 
vanced line approached, the enemy opened fire with artillery 
and small arms, which was answered from the lines of blue 
with Parrctt guns and carbines. At the Gap a few scattering 
shots were exchanged, then all became quiet, the enemy hav- 
ing fled in hot haste to their second and strongest line. 
.Stanley moved his troops forward on the trot, a battery was 
wheeled into position in the Gap on the Shelbyville turnpike, 
and as the exploding shells were striking terror to the re- 
treating Confederates our bands played "Yankee Doodle" 
and "Dixie" in grand style. 

After a short halt. General Stanley ordered his victor- 
ious troops forward again, this time to charge a line of rifle- 
pits a short distance in his front and extending across the 
turnpike. The command was deployed in line of battle, and 
at the order, "forward march," the troops moved toward 
the works. The sight was grand, as it was rare — cavalry 
about to charge, mounted, a line of rifle-pits. "Steady, men, 
steady!" was repeated along the line as we approached the 
works, expecting every moment the dreaded grape or the 
"singing ]\Iinie."' On we went and not a shot was fired 
except from the skirmish-line, which in the center waxed 
warm. The line continued to advance and still no pitiless 



TENNESSEE VOT^UNTEER CAVALRY. 77 

Storm of lead or screeching shell greeted us. After moving 
over rocks, through brush and timber, the works were 
reached and no enemy in sight, the rifle-pits being entirely 
deserted. 

General Stanley ordered immediate pursuit to be made 
with Minty's brigade, Second Division, supported by Camp- 
bell's brigade, First Division, closely followed by the whole 
corps. The charge of Stanley's ten thousand horsemen was 
a grand and nnposing sight, and to be seen was never to be 
forgotten. The charge was made in column of fours. It 
was seven miles to Shelbyville, and the enemy were so hard 
pressed that they were unable to make a stand and only fired 
a few shots from their artillery. More than once on this 
long charge were they compellel to move their artillery 
rapidly to the rear to prevent capture. 

At Shelbvville, Wheeler made a desperate attempt to 
check the advance of the Union cavalry long enough to allow 
his artillery and men to cross Duck River, which at that time 
was considerably swollen by the recent rains. Wheeler 
placed a battery in the public square and opened fire on our 
advance. There was quite a brisk engagement at this point 
between IMinty's brigade and the advance of Wheeler's 
cavalrv, in which the enemy were badly whipped and driven 
toward Duck River with the loss of several hundred pris- 
oners. The fleeing enemy were now pursued by the brigades 
of Campbell and ]\Iinty, and at Duck River bridge three 
guns and five hundred men were captured. 

Hundreds of Wheeler's men, finding themselves cut off 
from the bridge, their only means of crossing, and being 
hard pressed, plunged into the swollen stream, where scores 
were drowned in their attempt to gain the opposite side. The 
rout was so complete and the flight so hurried that it is said 
General Wheeler himself only escaped by swimming the 
river. 

While the battles of Guy's Gap and Shelbyville do not 
take high rank as leading engagements, yet the achievements 
of Stanley's cavalry on the 27th of June were very important 



78 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

to the success of Rosecrans' movement, for the left of 
Bragg's army was completely routed and driven back over 
ten miles, with severe loss in men and artillery. This splen- 
did Union victory had a depressing effect on \\"heeler's cav- 
alry, which up to that time were thought to be invincible. 

Shelbyville is a beautiful little town, located on Duck 
River, and is at the terminus of a branch road that leaves the 
Nashville & Chattanooga railroad at W'artrace. and at the 
time of this our first visit the Union people of this loyal 
town displayed hundreds of national flags from their win- 
dows and house-tops, that had long been concealed, and 
made the 27th of June seem like a Fourth of July. 

After a rest of two days, General Stanley set his column 
in motion for ■Manchester on the 30th. The First Tennessee 
moved with the remainder of the army over the almost im- 
passable roads, through mud and rain, reaching Manchester 
the last day of June. The most of this march was made over 
dirt roads, and when we reached the "barrens,'' the dividing- 
line of the hills bordering on Cumberland Mountain and the 
fertile lands of ^Middle Tennessee, the rain of the past week 
had made this whitish soil as soft and spongy as a swamp 
into which artillery and wagons cut to the hub. Even our 
horses could only pass over with the greatest exertion. 

Both tlanks of Bragg's aimy being turned, he was now 
compelled to abandon Tullahoma, which he did on the 30th, 
and retreated toward Decherd. On the 2nd day of July, we 
left Manchester and moved through Estell Springs, fording 
Elk River, and moved on to Decherd and Cowan, on the 
Nashville &: Chattanooga railroad, to find that Bragg had 
crossed the mountain, and once more ]\Iiddle Tennessee was 
in possession of the Army of the Cumberland. 

At the crossing of Elk River, a very sad and peculiar 
death occurred in Company C. The First Tennessee was 
fording the river, which was considerably swollen by the 
recent rain, and just as Company C reached the opposite 
bank. Private Calvin Walker fell from his horse and expired 
without uttering a word, and opposite his name the follow- 
ing entry was made: "Died from heart failure." 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 79 

When it was learned that Bragg had crossed the moun- 
tain, the cavalry returned to Decherd Station. Nothhig of 
special interest occurred at this place except a national salute 
fired by our batteries in honor of the glorious Fourth. After 
a short rest at Decherd Station, the First Tennessee, with 
the remainder of the cavalry, moved through Winchester 
to Salem, where the regiment enjoyed a few days of rest 
and recreation. 

In this brief campaign General Rosecrans lost eighty- 
five men killed, four hundred and eighty-two wounded, and 
thirteen captured. The loss of killed and wounded in 
Bragg's army is unknown, but he left behind him one thou- 
sand, six hundred and thirty-four officers and men as pris- 
oners, eight cannon and three siege guns. 

Before leaving Salem, we received the glorious news 
of the two great Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicks- 
burg on July 4th, in honor of which a national salute was 
fired. 

On the 1 2th, General Stanley again put his cavalry in 
motion for Huntsville, by way of New Market, reaching the 
former place on the 14th. It was near the latter place that 
General R. L. McCook was cruelly and savagely murdered 
by "bushwhackers," about a year before. He was riding at 
the time in an ambulance, prostrated by sickness, and some 
distance in advance of his brigade. On account of this atro- 
cious act, all houses, out-buildings, barns and fences were 
entirely destroyed near where he was killed, making the 
country look desolate. 

Huntsville is a beautiful little town, surrounded by rich 
and fertile fields, while from its center a large, magnificent 
spring furnishes not only the inhabitants with pure, crystal 
water, but in addition furnishes the power that forces the 
water to the people. Our stay at Huntsville was cut short 
by an order to move to Fayetteville, camping for a short time 
north of town. In a few days the First Tennessee, with 
the remainder of the division, struck tents and moved back 
to Salem, by way of Gum Springs, going into camp near 



80 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Winchester. This camp and the incidents that happened 
there, over thirty-five years ago, are stih fresh in the mem- 
ory of the men composing the First Division, and will be 
remembered by that gallant body of men until the final mus- 
ter-out. 

General Mitchell was a rigid disciplinarian, and at this 
place he seemed to have all the West Point rules transferred 
to our camp, and, so far as we know, he enforced them. He 
would have reveille sounded at 3 o'clcok each morning, and 
the sleepy soldiers were compelled to get up and put on all 
implements of war, saddle their horses, roll up overcoats 
and blankets and strap them to their saddles, form in line 
and stand "to horse" until daylight. When taps, or lights- 
out was sounded, every light was expected to be put out 
immediately ; in fact, some of the boys declared that the 
guard would start on their rounds to see that the order was 
strictly complied with before the last sound of this beautiful 
call had died away in the distant hills. And if a soldier was 
found with a light burning in his tent, he was taken to the 
provost-marshal's headquarters and there either tied up by 
the thumbs or made to carry a rail from three to five hours. 

On the march, no straggling was permitted, not even 
for the purpose of securing v/ater to drink, and if a soldier 
was found away from his command without permission, he 
was dismounted and forced to march the remainder of the 
4ay in the rear of the army. But the men learned that "the 
way of the transgressor is hard," and "the wages of sin is 
death," and that when orders are violated those who do so 
must suffer the consequences. Three things are necessary 
to make good soldiers. The first thing is discipline ; the 
second, discipline ; the third, discipline ; and it was not long 
until the boys fancied the three things were subject to mul- 
tiplication several times. We were awakened by discipline ; 
roll-call, guard-mounting, drill, cooking beans and bacon, 
were all done by discipline as well. But one truthful thing 
can be said to the credit of the First Tennessee, and that is, 
it did not furnish any more material for violations of these 
orders than other reiriments of the division. 




FIRST LIEUTENANT W. F. FOWI.ER, COMPANY A 






BADGE OF WILSON'S CAVALRY CORPS, 

Anil}- of the Cumberland 



TENNESSEE VOLl'NTEER CAVALRY. 81 

The last of July, the division was again ordered to re- 
turn to Fayetteville, going- into camp between the Winches- 
ter turnpike and Elk River, and just east of the stone bridge. 
This camp was in a grove of magnificent oak and beech 
trees, whose spreading branches protected the troops from 
the hot rays of the sun, while old "Mother Earth," which 
was richly carpeted with a soft coat of grass, made a bed 
much more preferable than the soft side of two fence rails. 
This was also a historic camp, being the same ground that 
was used by General Jackson as a rendezvous for his army 
at the time of the outbreak of the Creek Indians, in October, 
1813. 

There had been numerous outrages committed by the 
Creek Indians, and on the 30th of August, 1813, Weather- 
ford, a noted chief, led about seven hundred warriors against 
Fort Mimms, which was garrisoned by one hundred and 
fifty men, under Major Beasley ; but, after a brave and de- 
termined resistance, the fort was captured and all the garri- 
son was massacred except seventeen, who made their escape. 
All eyes were now turned to Jackson and his faithful sol- 
diers, who had hardly reached their homes from a campaign 
against the Indians. In his call for five thousand militia, 
General Jackson said : "Already large bodies of hostile 
Creeks are marching to your borders, with their scalping-, 
knives unsheathed, to butcher your women and children : 
time is not to be lost. We must hasten to the frontier, or 
we shall find it drenched in the blood of our citizens. The 
health of vour general is restored — he will command in per- 
son." 

General Cocke commanded the troops from East Ten- 
nessee. General Cofifee was sent to Huntsville, Alabama, 
with his mounted volunteers, and on the nth of October he 
sent word to Jackson that he was about to be attacked by one 
thousand Creek warriors. This word reached Jackson's 
camp at Fayetteville, and he at once put his army in motion 
for Huntsville, making the entire distance of thirty-two miles 
in less than five hours. General Jackson was a noted Indian 



82 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

fighter, and his faithful niihtia, in the war with the dehuled 
Indians, won for themselves a bright reputation, making a 
"Tennessee rifleman superior to a Wellington invincible." 

In 1811, General Jackson was at Natchez, Mississippi, 
on business, and on his return home he was asked by an 
agent of the Choctaw Indians if he had a pass, to which he 
replied with spirit : "Yes, sir ; I always carry mine with me ; 
T am a free-born American citizen, and that is a passport all 
over the world." 

This was a good place to camp, for it was 

Water to the right of you ! 
Corn to the left of yon ! 
Fence-rails in front of you ! 

And into this camp of water, corn and fence-rails, rode the 
brave First Tennessee. Forage was plentiful, and during 
the two weeks of rest and inactivity our horses recruited up 
and were in good condition when the next move was made. 
Nothing of special interest occurred while the regiment lay 
m this "summer resort," as the boys called it, the idle hours 
of the men being spent in bathing and fishing. There was 
a large flouring mill on Elk River, below the stone bridge, 
which was impressed and set to work for "Uncle Sam," 
grinding wheat and corn for the army. A detail was made 
from Company C and placed in charge, and as fast as the 
grain was brought in, it was converted into flour and meal 
and issued to the army. 

On the loth day of August, IMitchell's division was 
ordered to Huntsville, where it remained for two days, when 
the regiment moved with the remainder of the division, by 
slow and easy march, along the Memphis & Charleston rail- 
road, to Stevenson, Alabama, by way of Paint Rock, Lar- 
kinsville, Scottsboro and Bellefonte, reaching Stevenson on 
the 15th. Here the Memphis & Charleston and the Nash- 
ville & Chattanooga railroads unite, and, after winding 
around the base of Lookout Mountain, enter Chattanooga 
on a single track. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 83 

On the 17th, the First Tennessee was ordered to Boli- 
var, where for a short time it was actively engaged in scout- 
ing, picketing and guarding the ferries and fords along the 
Tennessee River. The last of the month the regiment re- 
turned to Stevenson and went into camp near Caperton's 
Ferry, on the Tennessee River. The railroad to Nashville 
had been repaired and the welcome sound of the locomotive 
was greeted with cheers as the great iron monster rolled into 
the Union camp each day, loaded with supplies for the army, 
which then lay near Stevenson, the left extending to Bridge- 
port and up Sequatchie Valley toward Jasper. 

General Rosecrans had successfully maneuvered Bragg 
out of Tullahoma and forced him, by flank movements, to 
cross the Tennessee River. Chattanooga now became the 
objective point, but the topography of the country around 
Chattanooga was such that to capture it by direct attack 
would cost weeks of hard, patient labor, beside the loss in 
men, for Bragg had made good use of his time in strength- 
ening this great stronghold. Cumberland Mountam, Wal- 
den's Ridge and the Tennessee River were between Rose- 
crans and Chattanooga, each forming the first great barrier. 
These mountains, with subordinate hills, were greatly in the 
way of a direct and successful advance upon Chattanooga, 
especially with a large army, encumbered with wagons and 
artillery. 

Chattanooga at that time was a very important place, 
not only as a great military point, but was also a great dis- 
tributing place, it being the main gateway east and south, 
and in order to obtain this great prize without forcing Bragg 
into battle behind his works. General Rosecrans resorted 
again to his well-known flank movement to dislodge his an- 
tagonist. 

The route to Bragg's left flank was rough and mountain- 
ous and was almost destitute of water, as well as forage. 
Sand and Lookout Mountains, with their steep and rugged 
sides, with bad roads, presented a barrier almost too great 
for an army to undertake, and especially when all the sup- 



84 HISTORY OF riRST REC.IMKXT 

plies and aniiminition must be transported across them in 
army wagons. This alone was a serious question, and no 
doubt cost General Rosecrans a great many sleepless nights. 
The rainy season was over, and September came in. hot and 
dry, insuring good roads so indispensable for the successful 
and rapid movement of the Union army for Bragg's left 
and roar. The Army of the Cumberland, under Rosecrans, 
lay along- the southwest side of the Tennessee River: the 
greater portion, however, was at Stevenson and Bridge- 
port. 



i 



K 



1 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 85 



CHAPTER VI. 

ADVANCE OE TllE ARMY — CLIMBING MOUNTAINS — SCENERY 
ABOVE THE CLOUDS — DARING MOVE OE THE FIRST TENNES- 
SEE — LOST IN A MOUNTAIN — BLOODY CHICKAMAUGA — 
TWO DAYS ON THE ElELD — CRAW^EISH SPRING — ON THE 
MOVE — WATCHING WHEELER. 

General Rosecrans having completed plans for a gen- 
eral advance of his army, a pontoon bridge was thrown 
across the Tennessee river at Caperton's Ferry, on the 29th 
day of August, and on the ist day of September, Stanley's 
cavalry broke camp and crossed over and camped for a few 
days at Carpcrton's Spring, near the base of Sand Mountain. 
Johnson's and Davis' divisions. Twentieth Corps, followed 
as a support to vStanley's cavalry. A halt was made until 
the 3rd, to allow the army to cross and close up. On the 
morning of the 3rd, everything being in "trim" for the ad- 
vance, the First Tennessee, with the remainder of Stanley's 
cavalry, began to ascend Sand Mountain. 

As we marched up the steep, rocky side of the moun- 
tain, the rising sun on the 3rd of September shed its rays 
on the long lines of blue marching slowly along the wind- 
ing, zig-zag road that led up the mountain side. Sometimes 
the line was visible in a half-dozen places, so short were the 
crooks in the road. Heavy details were made to aid the 
teamsters in getting the heavily loaded wagons to the sum- 
mit. The drivers shouted and yelled themselves hoarse — 
yes, and "cussed" a little, too, at the ever-willing, ever- 
ready, patient government mule, who, unmindful of the sur- 
roundings, was so faithfully tugging away at the loaded 
wagons. 

When the summit was reached, we paused for a few 



86 inSTdRV OF riRST rkgimknt 

minutes and pizoil upon one of the most beautiful views to 
be found in tbis part of tbe country. To tbc nortbwest. we 
could see the beautiful Tennessee River, which wound in 
its serpentine course along; the base of Lookout and Sand 
^lountains, while rangje after ranc^e of small mountains 
greeted the vision as far as the eye could reach. The low, 
rumblinq: sound of the artillery and wagons could be faintly 
heard as they too moved slowly up the mountain. 

We were now on the top of Sand Mountain, which at 
the place we crossed is level, and as we marched along the 
sandv road we were not very favorably impressed with that 
portion of Alabama. We crossed during the day Flat Creek, 
a small, sluggish stream that Hows lazily along the top of 
the mountain. Late in the afternoon, we marched down the 
mountain and bivouacketl for tlie night in Wills' \'alley, 
having marched twenty-two miles during the day. The 
next morning the march was resumed, and we moved 
through Winston's Gap into Little Will's X'alley at \'alley 
Head, and then, turning south, the army went into camp 
for the night four miles from A'alley Head. 

On the morning of the 5lh. Campbell's brigade was sent 
south on a scout, and when near Rawlingsville the enemy 
were encountered. Colonel Brownlow was ordered to charge 
them with his regiment, which he did, driving the enemy twa 
miles through a heavy cloud of dust, in which men and 
horses were almost overcome with heat and dust. 

From Rawlingsville the brigade pushed on south to 
Lebanon, which was found unoccupied, the enemy having 
evacuated the place the night before. The brigade was 
ordered to return to its camp at Allen's fami, the next three 
days being rest-days. Our wagon train and the Twentieth 
Corps, which followed the route taken by Stanley's cavalry, 
reached us at this place. We were now about forty-two 
miles south of Chattanooga. 

General Stanley moved his cavalry at daylight on the 
9th up the valley to Winston's Gap, where all of his troops 
crossed Lookout Mountain, reaching Broomtown Vallev at 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 87 

Alpine, Georgia. At this place, late in the afternoon, we 
had a brisk skirmish with some Mississippi troops. Wc lay 
in line of battle durinfr the ni.c^ht along the base of Lookout 
Mountain. The night was quite cold, making overcoats a 
welcome companion. Before leaving this place we learned 
through our scouts that Bragg had evacuated Chattanooga. 
So, without a battle, the primary object of this short cam- 
paign — Chattanooga, the great "gateway" to the south — fell 
into our hands, the result of Rosecrans' strategy. 

^fhc loth was spent scouting in the direction of Melville, 
on the roarl leading to Rome. The next day, the First Di- 
vision, under McCook, was again sent toward Rome, and, 
after crossing Chattooga River, the First Tennessee was 
sent forward on the road leading to Rome, and after moving 
about five miles on this road. Colonel Brownlow sent Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Dyer, with half of the regiment, toward 
Rome. The other half, under Colonel Brownlow, moved to 
Dirt Town, on the road leading from Rome to Dalton. 

The writer was sent forwarrl in charge of the advance 
guard, and we had not gone far before we captured two 
Confederates who belonged to some Ceorgia regiment, and 
learned from them that Forrest's and Wharton's divisions 
of Wheeler's commanrl were encamped only a short distance 
ahead. If the sun had suddtnly ceased to shine, it would 
have been no greater surprise to our captives than the sight 
of blue-coats. They did not believe at first that we were 
"Yankees," but when they saw the flags they became con- 
vinced, anfl wanted to know what we were doing down in 
"Dixie," the land of cotton. 

With this information we pushed ahead, and at dark 
attacked and drove in Wheeler's pickets. Colonel Brown- 
low now ordered forward his detachment, and a running 
fight was kept up for a mile or two, only halting when we 
heard Wheeler's bugles sounding "boots and saddles." We 
captured fifteen prisoners, and on our return destroyed a 
small bridge that we supposed spanned Chattooga river. 
From the men captured we learned that a large force of 



88 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

infantry and cavalry was near by. and beinc: so far from the 
remainder of the division, our position was critical, for we 
knew the night was never too dark or the day too cold for 
Wheeler to let an opportuniuty slip if there was any pros- 
pect of capturing- the First Tennessee cavalry. 

The night was dark, and as we quietly moved back we 
could hear the rumbling of Kragg's wagons as they moved 
along the Rome and Lafayette road. We were marching 
along late in the night, tired and sleepy, when a voice rang 
out, "Halt! \Mio comes there? " Our advance guard 
answered, "Friends, without the countersign." Could it be 
friend or foe making the challenge? One of the advance 
guard dismounted and advanced to tind out who dared to 
stop us on the highway. The faithful sentinel was a member 
of the Second Indiana Cavalry, of our division. We 
marched a short distaiice. crossed Chattooga River, and went 
into camp for the night. On lighting our camp-tires we 
found we were in the midst of sweet potatoes and peanuts, 
which helped to piece out our rations, which were getting 
shorter each day. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer, after leaving the regiment, 
moved forward rapidly on the road leading to Rome. Meet- 
ing with but little opposition, he continued his march to a 
place called "The Narrows,' within ten miles of Rome, 
where he drove in the enemy's pickets, capturing several 
prisoners, a lot of arms and equipments. Both detachments 
were successful, and obtained some very valuable and use- 
ful infomiation of the enemy's movements, and after having 
accomplished the object for which the reconnoissance was 
made, they returned without loss. 

On the following morning General McCook moved his 
division back to Alpine. The camp was hardly quiet when 
an order came for McCook to move his division to the sup- 
port of Crook, who at that time was near Lafayette. By ii 
a. m. on the 12th. the whole of McCook's division was on 
the march, going up the Broomtown \'alley road, camping 
for the night near Summerviile. The march was resumed 



TENNESSEK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



89 



the next morning at 6 o'clock toward Lafayette, and when 
within three miles of the latter place the Ninth Pennsylvania, 
the leading regiment of Campbell's brigade, encountered 
the enemy's pickets and drove them back for two miles upon 
their main line. 

The First Tennessee was formed in line on the right 
of the road and moved forward through the woods, and as 
the regiment emerged at the opposite side, a battery opened 
fire at short range. The artillerymen were either new men 
or old ones "excited," for each shot passed harmlessly above 
our heads. One shell exploded directly over the colors of 
the regiment, but no one was struck with the flying frag- 
ments. 

The Ninth Pennsylvania charged along the road 
through a perfect cloud of dust, which completely con- 
cealed the enemy, who now opened a brisk fire, killing and 
wounding several men. The Second IMichigan deployed and 
followed the Ninth Pennsylvania as a support. Campbell 
was about to renew the fight when he received orders to 
fall back, the enemy shelling the vi^oods furiously in our rear 
as we left the field. 

The prisoners captured belonged to Breckinridge's di- 
vision of Hill's corps, and from them we learned that 
Bragg's headquarters was in Lafayette, and that his army 
was in close proximity. Bragg was equally as anxious to 
finfl out the location and position of Rosecrans' army, which 
at that time was very much scattered, and evidently Bragg 
intended to whip Rosecrans in detail. This movement of 
the LTnion cavalry to Lafayette developed the fact that 
Bragg's army lay near there and that he was equally inter- 
ested in locating Rosecrans' army. 

It was exceedingly hot and dry, no rain having fallen 
since the ist of September, and the great clouds of dust 
raised by our industrious cavalry were at times almost un- 
bearable ; in fact, the movements of either army could almost 
be traced by the dust raised by the marching troops. But, 
fortunately for the men and horses, there was plenty of 



90 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

water, and when a halt was made the dust, which was 
streaked with perspiration, was washed off so that we could 
disting-uish one comrade from another. 

General Stanley was unable to communicate with Rose- 
crans by the valley road, it being held by Bragg. The whole 
command was moved back to Alpine, where it bivouacked 
for the night. The only avenue of escape for Stanley's 
troops was to re-cross Lookout Mountain and move up the 
west side. On the morning of the 14th. we left our camp 
at the foot of the moimtain and began to climb Lookout. 
When we reached the summit we could see great clouds 
of dust raised by the marching Confederates, and as we 
looked down from our lofty position on our dust-covered 
pursuers we rather enjoyed seeing them battle with the dust 
down in the valley. It was a great change. Free from the 
dust and the enemy, and fanned by the cool mountain breeze, 
we almost wanted to tarry longer. 

We encamped at night on the top of the mountain, on 
Yellow Fork of Little River. Here Robert Hixon. Com- 
pany C, who was captured at College Grove, reported for 
duty. Resuming the march the next morning, the whole 
command descended from Lookout Mountain and moved 
up Will's \'alley and bivouacked near \'alley Head. At this 
place. General Stanley, who had been very ill for several 
days, turned over his command to General ^litchell and 
was sent to Nashville for treatment. 

\\'hen our cavalry left Will's \'alley on the 9th, all the 
wagons and the sick were left behind, so on our return we 
were glad to see them, for our rations were getting short. 
A fresh supply was issued to the men, the horses shod, and 
once more we cut loose from our trains and, marching 
through ^^'inston's Gap, re-crossed Lookout Mountain at 
Dougherty's Gap and once more entered Georgia, and 
camped for the night in McLemore's Cove, having marched 
eighteen miles over bad roads. 

Every surviving member of the First Tennessee who 
was with the regiment on the night of September 16 will 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 91 

recall the thrilling experience in descending Lookout Moun- 
tain at AIcLemore's Cove. The night was dark, and we 
missed the road, consequently it was more of a slide than a 
march. It was a thrilling experience to us, and to this day 
we cannot understand how we ever reached the base with- 
out serious loss. 

On reaching McLemore's Cove, General Mitchell found 
the Union army had moved toward Crawfish Spring, where 
Rosecrans was making a desperate attempt to unite his 
scattered forces. General Bragg was heavily reinforced 
with troops from Georgia and Mississippi, and with this 
superior force at hand he began to mass his troops on Rose- 
crans' left, and in order to conceal this move he made active 
demonstrations on the Union left. But, with all of his 
shrewdness, he never caught old "Rosy" napping; in fact, 
Rosecrans had his army united before Bragg was ready to 
deliver battle. 

On the 17th, McCook's division was moved up near 
Cedar Grove Church. We were now approaching the battle- 
field, for occasionally we could hear the distant boom of 
cannon, and as the fire increased and gave assurances of a 
general engagement, the troops closed their ranks, tightened 
their belts and moved steadily forward with that firm and 
soldierly alacrity which characterizes the action of brave and 
determined men on the eve of battle. As we moved forward 
our minds wandered to our far-off homes, where loved ones 
were anxiously waiting with bated breath the result of the 
battle, the last letter from the front having told of the 
approaching conflict. 

Resuming the march the next morning, we moved to 
Bailey's Cross Roads and bivouacked for the night. Early 
on the morning of the 19th, the column was set in motion 
by way of Pond Spring to Crawfish Spring. On approach- 
ing the latter place, a sharp engagement occurred between 
the Second Brigade of McCook's division and the enemy's 
cavalry. 

The enemy being repulsed, we moved on to Crawfish 



92 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Sprinq; and formed in line of battle to the right of ISIcCook's 
Twentieth Corps. The writer will not attempt to give a 
detailed account of the battle of Chickamauga, it being 
familiar to the men who were engaged in it, and those who 
were not can consult more elaborate works. 

On the morning of the 19th, the Union army lay along 
the southwest side of Chickamauga Creek. The ground 
over which this great battle was fought is almost level, the 
greater portion being covered with a low, scrubby growth 
of timber. The battle was fought without the aid of breast- 
works, and possibly no battle of the war had fewer obstruc- 
tions to conceal the movements of the contending forces. 
General Mitchell formed his cavalry in line in front and to 
the left of Crawfish Spring, and during the afternoon of the 
iQth, there were several sharp engagements between the 
enemy's cavalry, who were trying to gain our rear by the 
Dry \'alley read. Our ammunition and supply trains were 
also' in this valley, and Mitchell's orders were, "Hold Craw- 
fish Spring at all hazards." 

During the day the cavalry was advanced and took up 
a position along the southwest bank of Chickamauga 
Creek, meaning in the Indian tongue, "the river of death." 
The enemy made several attempts to cross at the different 
fords during the afternoon, but w^ere driven back. During 
the afternoon the battle to our left raged with all the fury 
of a storm. The terrible discharges of artillery and the vol- 
leys of musketry shook the earth ; the smoke hung low and 
almost shut out from view the contending armies, but above 
all the din and noise of battle, the shouts of the charging 
columns could be heard as the tide of battle ebbed and 
flowed. 

There was a constant shifting and working of the Union 
lines toward our left, consequently the cavalry was soon left 
without infantry support, but we maintained our position 
throughout the struggle, and only retired when the day was 
lost. The first day's battle closed with severe loss on both 
sides ; in fact, but little advantage had been gained by either 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 93 

side. It was a day in which both sides had made a series of 
brilhant charges in favor of first one side and then the other. 
The exhausted men, with parched hps, lay down on their 
arms to pass a cheerless and comfortless night on the battle- 
field, with dead and wounded comrades on all sides. During 
the night, Rosecrans adjusted his lines and gave orders for 
the disposition and movements of his troops the next day. In 
this day's struggle the First Tennessee lost one man wounded 
— Corporal W. A. Cannon, of Company C. 

Bragg was heavily reinforced during the night by Long- 
street's army from Virginia, and at a meeting of his gen- 
erals he laid before them his plan of battle for the following 
day. His plan was to divide his army into two commands 
and assign as commanders his two senior Lieutenant-Gen- 
erals, Polk and Longstreet. On Sunday morning, the 20th, 
a heavy fog hung over the battlefield, which concealed the 
movements of the troops. During the night the Union troops 
on some portions of the line built temporary breastworks of 
rails and logs, and behind them the veterans of the Army 
of the Cumberland awaited the attack. 

It was about half past 8 o'clock when Bragg ordered 
Polk to make a vigorous attack upon the Union left. This 
part of our line was held by Thomas, the hero of Mill 
Springs. The Confederates rushed forward with their well- 
known "rebel yell," and after two hours of desperate fight- 
ing they failed in their attempt to turn the Union left, or 
even gain any advantage, and sullenly fell back. On this 
part of the line the fighting was desperate. Bayonets were 
freely baptized in blood. Here it was that Breckinridge's 
division suffered such heavy loss. General Helm, of Ken- 
tucky, falling at this place. Generals Cleburne and Stewart 
made mention in their reports that the musketry and artillery 
fire was the most destructive they had ever encountered. 

The fighting gradually opened all along the line, and 
soon the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry had 
increased to one continuous sound. On the extreme rio-ht, 
Alitchell's cavalry was contending heroically against Bragg's 



94 HISTORV OF FIRST REGIMENT 

infantry and cavalry — still protecting^ the right of McCook's 
corps. r)Oth flanks of the Union army were well protected 
by the cavalry : in fact, they were so vigilant and kept the 
enemy so closely engaged that he was unable to use his 
cavalry at any other part of the line. The fighting on the 
Union left early in the morning was along the Lafayette 
road, and evidently Bragg intended to crush this part of 
Rosecrans' line and gain Rossville Gap, through which runs 
the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. 

Had it not been for a blunder made by an aide with but 
little knowledge of the meaning of military terms, it is ex- 
ceedingly doubtful if the Army of the Cumberland would 
have been driven from the field of Chickamauga. On the 
Union left, the storm of battle had spent its force, and 
Thomas was still holding his own against great odds. The 
center and right had successfully resisted the repeated at- 
tacks of Longstreet's troops during the morning. Here is 
a copy of the fatal order: 

Headquarters Departmext of the Cumberland, 
September 20th, 10:45 a. m. 
Brigadier-General Wood, Commanding Division : 

The general commanding directs that you close up on Rejuolds 
as fast as possible and support him. Respectfully, etc.. 

Frank S. Bond. 
Major and Aidc-dc-Cam[<. 

General ^^'ood says: "I received the order about 11 
o'clock. At the moment of its receipt I was a short distance 
in rear of the center of my command.'" \\'ood was a \\'est 
Pointer, and saw it was impossible for him to execute the 
order literally. Wood's left was aligned with Brannan's 
right and he saw no way to close up on Reynold's but to 
withdraw and pass to. the left in rear of Braiman, which he 
did. This left a gap in the Union line the length of two 
brigades, and at that moment Longstreet. who was advanc- 
ing in heavy force, saw it. and immediately threw the divis- 
ions of Hood. Kershaw. Johnson and Hindman into this 
gap. The right center and the whole right wing was dis- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 95 

abled, and to resist this sudden and fierce assault McCook, 
with the remainder of his corps, tried to stay the tide, and 
in doing so the brave and gallant Lytle fell. At this point 
our army lost more than a thousand prisoners, thirty-five 
cannon and a lot of wagons. 

General Thomas, "The Rock of Chickamauga," with 
the remainder of the army — about five divisions — and the 
reserves under Granger, re-formed his troops on the crest of 
Horseshoe Ridge, between the Lafayette and Dry Valley 
roads. Here during that long Sunday afternoon the most 
desperate fighting of the day was done, against fearful 
odds. 

About 4 o'clock, Bragg determined to make one more 
attempt to capture Horseshoe Ridge. He at once ordered 
up his reserves under Preston, supported by Stewart's corps, 
and with wild yells and confident of success they dashed at 
our lines, but were again repulsed. Here the slaughter was 
frightful. The Union troops searched the cartridge-boxes 
of friend as well as foe for ammunition. 

General Mitchell, in his report of the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, says : "About 3 p. m. I received verbal orders from 
an orderly from General McCook to fall back, as our right 
had been turned. Not deeming an order of so important a 
nature as that, coming in such a manner, valid, I did not 
move, as I had been ordered in the morning to hold Crawfish 
Spring at all hazards, but sent a stafif officer to ascertain the 
position of affairs and, if possible, communicate with either 
General McCook or Rosecrans. From him I learned that 
our right had been driven round and that everything on 
the right was moving toward Chattanooga, up Chattanooga 
Valley." 

After all the wagons had been started toward Chatta- 
nooga urider an escort, all the ambulances were loaded with 
wounded soldiers who were able to ride. It will be remem- 
bered that at the opening of the battle of Chickamauga the 
principal hospital for the reception of the wounded was es- 
tablished at Crawfish Spring, and no better place could have 



96 TIISTORY OF riRST REGI.MKNT 

been selected. The Lee Mansion and all out-buildings were 
used, beside tents. Just a short distance from this old 
homestead, a large, magnificent spring gushes out from 
under a ledge of stone, and from this famous "Crawfish 
Spring" thousands of our wounded quenched their thirst. 
Around this mansion numerous large, stately oaks are found, 
whose outspreading branches protected our wounded from 
the hot rays of the sun. The writer visited the battlefield 
a few years ago, and found but few changes had been made, 
the general appearance being unchanged. At the celebrated 
Crawfish Spring a busy water-wheel is to be seen supplying 
the old mansion with water, the spring not only supplying 
^^^ the water but the power which runs the pump as well. 
'^^^^N. I'lie turn of affairs on our left cut us off from all com- 

munication with JNIcCook. who was in command on the right, 
^X^nd Mitchell was left to make his way as best he could 
Y^' — '"''^ toward Chattanooga. The scene around the hospital at 
\ y Crawfish Spring when we left was one of peculiar sadness, 

and to be seen was never to be forgotten. Hundreds of our 
men who had been taken from the battlefield badly wounded 
had answered to the last roll-call amid the boom of cannon, 
and as the living demanded all the time and attention of 
those in charge, the dead, for the time being, were laid out 
in rows, side by side, awaiting the burial party. 

McCook's division covered the withdrawal of the trains 
to Chattanooga and, although cut off as it was and almost 
surrounded with infantry and cavalry, the retreat was made 
in good order and without the loss of a wagon. There w^ere 
several sharp attacks made upon Mitchell's cavalry before 
leaving Crawfish Spring, but each was repulsed, and at 5 
p. m. it left for Chattanooga. 

Just here I want to relate an incident that occurred at 
the time of our withdrawal from Crawfish Spring. It serves 
as a reminder of that true friendship that existed among 
soldiers. When the ambulances and wagons had been 
loaded, there yet remained thousands of our wounded com- 
rades, and in the absence of orders, our bovs began to dis- 




COHPORATi GEO. M. TKOBAUGH, COMPANY l> 




M. C. WlJiMAMS, 

Fir-st Sergeant-Major of the Regiment, and Lient. Co. O 



tennesse;^ volunteer cavalry. 97 

mount and place a wounded soldier in his stead, and in this 
way hundreds could have been brought from the red field of 
Chickamauga. When our commander found out that we 
were letting our wounded soldiers ride, he made all dis- 
mount and return to the hospital, giving as his reason that 
if we should be attacked the wounded would be greatly in 
the way, some scarcely being able to sit on the horses when 
quietly marching along, while our dismounted men would 
also be of little service. 

We fell back toward Chattanooga, bringing off two 
guns which had been abandoned by the troops of McCook's 
corps. Mitchell marched his command six miles toward 
Chattanooga and bivouacked for the night in line of battle. 

The next morning the whole command was placed in 
line of battle across the Chattanooga Valley road, and dur- 
ing the day the enemy's cavalry moved up and several light 
skirmishes occurred, but no severe attack was made. This 
valley was full of stragglers, all going at a "two-forty gait" 
toward Chattanooga. During the day the Second Brigade 
opened up communication with the right wing of the Union 
army and held Woods' Gap, in Missionary Ridge, through 
which a road enters, leading to Dry Valley. We again 
bivouacked in line of battle, and earl}^ the next morning it 
was discovered that we were almost surrounded. Orders 
were issued immediately for us to fall back with as little 
noise as possible. 

The artillery wheels were muffled by wrapping blankets 
around them, the cavalry, except the rear-guard, was dis- 
mounted, and each man was required to carry his saber in 
his hand to avoid noise, and in this way we moved some dis- 
tance along the foot of Lookout Mountain, leading our 
horses, not being allowed to speak above a whisper. As 
we passed the end of Lookout Mountain, we saw the Third, 
Fifth and Sixth Tennessee Volunteers of the old Twenty- 
fifth Brigade, standing in line of battle. This brigade had 
been thrown out as an advance-guard and to cover the re- 
treat of the Union army. 



98 HISTORY or riRST REGIMENT 

Soon after wo passed them, the enemy made an attack, 
but were driven back after a brisk skirmish. We were 
halted in Chattanoo,2;a. near Fort Xe^lev. where we found 
the Union troops workint; Hke beavers, throwing up breast- 
works. 

The September returns of Rosecrans' army showed a 
total effective force of 67.584. yet when the troops that were 
guarding bridges, trains and other important places are 
taken out. it is exceedingly doubtful if Rosecrans had in the 
two days' battle over 56.000 men. As Bragg made no 
monthly report, it is difficult to get the exact tigures. but 
from the best information obtainable his total eflfective force 
during the battle was not far from 70,000 men. Here is the 
loss in the two days* fighting: 

Killed Wounded Missing Total 

Union, 1,700 9,394 5,255 16,349 

Confederate. 2,673 16,274 2,003 20,950 

As many of those on our side reported as missing were 
among the slain, the number of killed no doubt exceeded 
the loss given. The results of the battle were of no benefit 
to Bragg, as we still held Chattanooga, while on the other 
hand it was an immense drain on the resources of his army. 

The total loss in the cavalry for the two days was four 
hundred and sixty-eight.. General Rosecrans, in his report 
of the Chattanooga campaign and the battle of Chickamauga, 
says : "As to the cavalry, the accompanying reports are so 
full that I need only add that as an arm of the service it has 
been equal to its duty on all occasions, and on the i8th, 
19th and 20th of September it behaved with conspicuous 
gallantry, covering our shattered right, and protected our 
trains in the valley of Chattanooga Creek on the 20th. It 
is greatly due to the behavior of the cavalry on that day 
that we lost none of our wagons, and that many of our 
ambulances and some of our artillery and caissons came 
safely into the place." 

Late in the afternoon of the 22nd. Mitchell was ordered 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 99 

to move his cavalry to the north side of the Tennessee River. 
He began crossing at 6 o'clock, near the point of an island 
a short distance above Chattanooga. The river at this place 
was very wide, and at the north bank was quite deep, yet 
the crossing was made with only the loss of a few horses. 
As we were crossing, Bragg shelled us from Missionary 
Ridge, but did no harm except to keep us "a little uneasy." 
We lay in camp opposite Chattanooga for one day, and then 
moved to Severly Springs, six miles from Chattanooga. On 
the night of the 25th, our camp had hardly gotten quiet 
when "them confounded old buglers" began to blow "boots 
and saddles" — a call that the First Tennessee was exceed- 
ingly familiar with. It was a ground-hog case, and we had 
to go. We immediately crawled out of our tents, saddled 
our horses, and at 9 p. m. left camp, and marched rapidly 
toward Walden's Ridge, which we crossed during the night, 
reaching Jasper, in the Sequatchie Valley, early the next 
morning. If anyone thinks that we had a "picnic" in cross- 
ing Walden's Ridge that night, we will object and say that 
"wise heads will dilifer." 

After a short halt to feed and get breakfast, the com- 
mand was pushed forward to Bridgeport. On the 27th, 
Campbell's brigade was ordered to Stevenson, and from this 
place was pushed on to Pump Spring, where pickets and 
patrols were thrown out along the river. This hasty move 
was made for the purpose of watching Wheeler, who was 
reported to be moving toward the river and, if possible, to 
cross and break our communications. On the 28th, the First 
Tennessee and Ninth Pennsylvania were ordered to Belle- 
font to reinforce the third brigade of our division, who re- 
ported that Wheeler was trying to cross near that place. 
After marching hard for six miles, word reached us that the 
enemy had been driven back across the river, and we re- 
turned to our camp at Pump Springs, near Stevenson. 

L.oFC. 



100 HISTORY 01' riRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER VII. 

wheeler's great rail:) LARGE WAGON TRAIN BURNED — THE 

PURSUIT — WINCHESTER — EIGHTING BUSHWHACKERS — 
LIEUT. BOWMAN ATTACKED NEAR SPARTA — HIS SOLDIERS 
KILLED AFTER SURRENDERING — TAKE NO PRISONERS. 
BROWNLOW QUIETS THE "GUERRILLAS." 

When General Bragg evacuated Chattanooga, the un- 
finished works left by him were at once strengthened by 
Rosecrans. The Army of the Cumberland, it is true, had 
been driven from Chickamauga, and now lay behind the 
almost impregnable works, yet the confidence of "Old Rosy" 
was not shaken because of his failure to hold the field. 
Bragg moved up and threatened to attack Rosecrans in his 
works, but after a few days of maneuvering, he disposed of 
his forces and laid siege to the town, hoping in this way to 
accomplish what he had failed to do in battle. 

Bragg took possession of [Missionary Ridge and built 
a strong line of works on the crest, extending from the 
Tennessee River, above town, across the Chattanooga \'al- 
ley to the top of Lookout [Mountain. The latter place in 
November became historical, it being the place where Hooker 
fought the battle "above the clouds." 

The railroad from Nashville had been repaired, and 
the cars were running to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee River. 
From this point, the supplies for the Union army were 
hauled in army wagons over the mountains to Chattanooga. 
This route was up Sequatchie \'alley and across Walden's 
Ridge. Bragg had a large and well-equipped force of cav- 
alry, and decided to move it upon this "overland route" 
and destroy it. His cavalry was to cross the river at three 
different points and move in whatever direction that prom- 
ised the best results. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 101 

On the 30th clay of September, Wheeler succeeded in 
crossing Tennessee River at Washington with at least six 
thousand men and moved toward Walden's Ridge. General 
Crook, with the Second Division, was guarding the river 
above Chattanooga, but owing to the scattered condition of 
his troops, Wheeler was able to drive back the small force at 
Washington and cross to the west side. Once across, 
Wheeler pushed rapidly toward the communications of the 
army. By the time Crook had collected his scattered troops, 
Wheeler had several hours the start. 

At the time Wheeler crossed" the river McCook's First 
Division was distributed along the south side from Bridge- 
port to Bellefont, but on receipt of orders he started in pur- 
suit with the Second Brigade. Colonel Campbell started 
with his brigade October 2, at i p. m., from Stevenson, by 
way of Bridgeport, to Anderson's Cross Roads, in Sequat- 
chie Valley. The First Tennessee moved with the brigade 
and reached McCook four miles north of Anderson's Cross 
Roads at to a. m. on the 3rd, having marched fifty miles, 
making only two short halts to feed the tired and almost 
worn-out horses. 

McCook, without waiting for his division to unite, 
pushed ahead with the Second Brigade, but was unable to 
prevent the destruction of a part of Rosecrans' train. 
Wheeler overtook the train near Anderson's Cross Roads, 
and succeeded in burning something over three hundred 
wagons and killed a large number of mules. LaGrange 
charged the eneni}- Vvith his brigade and drove him back, 
recapturing a lot of wagons and eight hundred mules. The 
enemy fell back about one mile south of Anderson's Cross 
Roads and there made a stand behind a rail barricade. 

McCook again charged with saber and routed Wheeler, 
killing cUid capturing one hundred and sixteen. Among 
the former was ]\Iajor Reed, of Wheeler's staff. A portion 
of the train was loaded with ammunition, and as we dashed 
by, the explosions resembled a battle. Along with the train 
were several sutlers, with their wagons well loaded with a 



102 HISTORY OP FIRST RKGIMKNT 

miscellaneous stock, and in the stampede their ^s^oods were 
strewn about in tempting^ profusion. It was a grand treat 
for Wheeler's men, and yet "a little costly." 

jMcCook's division now being united, pushed on to Dun- 
lap, where it bivouacked for the night. The troops engaged 
were Martin's division, under the personal command of 
Wheeler, and it was reported that he came very near being 
captured. He divided his command before leaving the val- 
ley, sending Wharton with his division to Mc]\linnville. 
Early on the 4th, we left our camp at Dunlap and began the 
ascent of Cumberland Mountain at Kane's Gap, and moved 
rapidly on the direct road toward McMinnville, making only 
one short halt on the mountain to feed. The road was lined 
with empty boxes and cans, and dead mules. 

General Crook, in command of the Second Division, 
who was moving on a road north of us, entered McMinn- 
ville a short time before McCook, but neither command was 
able to prevent the capture of the garrison, consisting mainly 
of the Fourth Tennessee \'oIunteers, under the command of 
Major Patterson. 

After the capture of ]\lcMinnville and its garrison on 
the 3rd, Wheeler destroyed all government stores and in 
the most brutal manner robbed the officers and men of their 
clothing, blankets, watches and money. There were no ar- 
tillery or forts to defend the place, and the small force 
made the best defense they could against great odds, losing 
seven killed and thirty wounded. 

Wheeler left ]\Ic]\linnville for ]\Iurfresboro, closely pur- 
sued by the divisions of Crook and McCook, and a short dis- 
tance from ^IcMinnville he was overtaken and roughly 
handled by Crook's division. We moved through Woodbury 
and early on the morning of the 6th entered Alurfreesboro, 
all tired and worn out. A halt was made long enough to 
rest and feed our jaded horses. Wheeler, finding Murfrees- 
boro too strongly garrisoned, made no attempt to capture 
the place, but cut the wire and, turning south, moved toward 
Shelbyville. Four days' rations were issued to the men, and 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 103 

at I o'clock the First Tennessee moved, with the remainder 
of the division, toward Shelbyville, bivouacking for the 
night near the latter place. 

At Shelbyville, Wheeler divided his troops into three 
columns. This caused some little delay in trying to find the 
route he had taken. Mitchell ordered McCook to move to 
Unionville by the nearest practicable route. On reaching 
X'nionville, we found the enemy had left and was moving 
toward Duck River. We pursued on, and at night crossed 
Duck River near Caney Springs, and camped for the night. 
General Crook moved his division through Shelbyville on 
the morning of the 7th and out along the road leading to 
Farmington, and when near the latter place he encountered 
Davidson's division and drove it back rapidly toward Farm- 
ington. 

Here Wheeler had taken up a position in a cedar thicket, 
but was driven out after some severe fighting in which both 
sides lost quite heavily. Among the slain on the Union side 
was the brave commander of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
third Illinois Volunteers — Colonel James Alonroe. On the 
8th, we moved in pursuit through Lewisburg and Corners- 
ville. The First Tennessee, the leading regiment, charged 
into the latter place at dark and drove the enemy's rear- 
guard out. At the south edge of town we captured a courier 
with a dispatch from Wheeler to one of his division com- 
manders, urging him to move at once to Pulaski, where he 
was trying to unite his army. The command was halted long 
enough to feed, when the march was resumed and at 10 
p. m. camped for the night seven miles from Pulaski. 

The next morning the whole command was pushed for- 
ward to Pulaski, where we learned that the daring raider had 
moved early in the night for Lamb's Ferry, where he ex- 
pected to cross the Tennessee River. All the weak and 
lame horses were thrown out, and now came an exciting 
race toward the river. The First Tennessee joined in the 
chase, which was continued throughout the day. There was 
abundant evidence of a hasty flight, the road being lined with 
broken-down horses, wagons, artillery, hats and guns. 



104 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Wheeler moved through Rogcrsville. and on the 9th 
crossed Tennessee River at Lamb's Ferry. The Wheeler 
raid was not a very great success, as it cost him most all of 
his artillery, besides losing- heavily in prisoners and deserters. 
In this short but spirited campaign of eight days, we 
marched over three hundred miles with but little sleep, and 
the most of that distance was over rough mountain roads. 

On the loth we left Rogers ville and by slow and easy 
march moved through Athens to Huntsville. At this place 
IMitchell learned that Roddy was moving toward Winches- 
ter with a division of cavalry. IMcCook was ordered to pur- 
sue him with his division, and on the 12th left Huntsville 
and pushed forward toward New IMarket, with Campbell's 
brigade in the advance. We marched ahead at a rapid gait 
and toward night a heavy storm came' up, but no halt was 
made, the march being continued through rain and blinding 
flashes of lightning. The Ninth Pennsylvania was leading 
the brigade and just at dark encountered Roddy, who had 
halted for the storm in a heavy grove of timber. 

The Ninth Pennsylvania was dismounted and moved 
forward, with the First Tennessee close behind as a sup- 
port. Roddy's troops opened a brisk fire, wdiich was 
answered with volleys from the carbines of the Ninth Penn- 
sylvania at close range, and in a short time the enemy fell 
back and all became quiet. It was exceedingly dark and 
the clouds still continued to "weep" during the night, making 
our bivouac very unpleasant. 

The pursuit was continued at daylight the next morning 
m the direction of New Market. At the latter place we 
learned from citizens that Roddy had at least six hours the 
start of us, and owing I0 the thoroughly exhausted condi- 
tion of our horses it seemed impossible to overtake him. 
From New IMarket, Roddy turned southwest, and after pur- 
suing him "^ome time ^^■ith no hope of overtaking his fast 
retreating colunm the pursuit was abandoned. There were 
signs of great haste along the line of retreat in the way of 
abandoned wagons, broken-down horses and hats. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 105 

This move of Roddy was no doubt intended to be made 
in connection with the raid made by Wheeler, and the direc- 
tion he was moving clearly indicated that he fully intended 
to strike our line of communication at or near Decherd, but 
the defeat of Wheeler and his hasty flight out of Tennessee 
greatly interfered with his arrangements. At 3 p. m. on the 
13th, the pursuit ended, and Mitchell called for a detail of 
a lieutenant and ten men to take an order to Crook, notifying 
him to discontinue the pursuit. 

Lieutenant John Roberts, with ten picked men and 
horses from Company C, was detailed for this hard and dan- 
gerous trip. The writer was one of the number, and the 
lieutenant and his trusty men at once set out on their perilous 
journey, moving rapidly toward Huntsville, expecting to 
find Crook somewhere between Huntsville and Athens. We 
were moving along the main road, thinking that we must be 
nearing the end of our journey, when we suddenly ran 
into about an equal number of the enemy, who were just 
dismounting at a farm-house by the roadside. We imme- 
diately opened fire and then charged them, when they fled 
pell-mell in every direction. 

Lieutenant Roberts, thinking it unwise to pursue them, 
pushed ahead and shortly after dark found General Crook, 
and, after delivering the order, started on the return trip. 
When our little detachment reached the point where we left 
the division, we found it had moyed awa}\ Looking away to 
our left, we could see the bright light of a camp, but were 
unable to determine Vv'hether it was friend or foe. It had 
been raining for the past two days, and the marching cav- 
alry had converted the dust into mortar by the constant and 
steady tramp of thousands of hoofs. We dismounted and 
examined the tracks, and found that a large body of mounted 
troops had gone in th^ direction of the light. We moved cau- 
tiously along the road for some distance and again dis- 
mounted and made another examination. Matters were get- 
ting desperate by this time. Could it be that we were fol- 
lowing close on the rear of Roddv's division ? We moved 



106 HISTORY OF FIRST RKGIMEXT 

a little distance from the road and held a short council to 
decide what was best to do under the circumstances. It was 
decided to wait for the return of daylioht and then move 
cautiously toward the lights that were still dimly burning. 

Lieutenant Roberts moved his little "squad"' some two 
to three hundred feet to the right of the road into a heavy 
body of timber and dismounted his men, and here occurred 
an interesting- "watch meeting," each one watching and wait- 
ing for the great luminary of the world to light up our 
hiding-place. There was no sleep for this little band of 
worn-out soldiers, and. drawing together, we discussed in 
low whispered tones our situation. 

When the first ray of light began to streak the eastern 
sky, we mounted and moved forward in the direction of the 
lights, and soon came in sight of the advance vedette, who 
on close examination proved to be a "Yankee" — just the 
kind we were looking for — and in a short time we rode into 
the camp of the First Tennessee, and were joyfully received 
by the boys, who thought that we were captured. 

On the 14th, the First Temiessee, with the remainder 
of the division, moved to Branchville and camped for the 
night. This march was made in a drenching rain, making 
the roads almost impassable for the artillery and wagons, to 
say nothing of the labor of our jaded horses in pulling 
through the muddy roads. 

On the 15th, we moved through Salem and went into 
camp near Winchester, where the men and horses enjoyed 
a short season of rest. The total loss in the First and Sec- 
ond Divisions in the \\'heeler raid was one hundred and 
twenty. \\'heeler's loss was estimated at one thousand 
killed, captured and deserted, and six pieces of artillery. His 
greatest loss was at Famiington, where he lost eighty-six 
killed and one hundred and thirty-seven wounded. 

General !Mitchell. in his report of the Wheeler raid, says : 
"I think the record of the cavalry service during the entire 
war cannot show a more severe campaign than the one m/ 
command has just closed. There was scarcely an hour dur- 



V<7j/ 



Z. S: 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 107 

ing- the whole pursuit that the horses were unsaddled; for 
days and nights together the men were in the saddle, almost 
constantly on the march, and some days making as high as 
fifty-three and fifty-seven miles. The greater part of the 
time the troops were out of rations, and our hasty movements 
gave them but little time to forage on the country ; that 
the nights were very cold and the men without overcoats, 
and I think the campaign challenges comparison with any 
service performed during the war. Yet with all the hard- 
ships and severe duty necessarily devolving upon the men 
they made not a murmur." 

During October, several important changes took place 
in the Army of the Cumberland. The Fourth Corps was 
formed by the consolidation of the Twentieth and Twenty- 
first, with General Gordon Granger commanding. The re- 
serves were attached to the Fourteenth Corps. General 
W. S. Rosecrans was relieved and General George H. 
Thomas placed in command of the Army of the Cumber- 
land. On the 1 8th of October, the military Division of the 
Mississippi was created, and Major-General U. S. Grant 
placed in command, and among his first orders to Thomas, 
"The Rock of Chickamauga," was : "Hold Chattanooga at 
all hazards. I will be there as soon as possible. Please in- 
form me how long your present supplies will last and the 
prospect for keeping them up." 

The ansv/er was : "Two hundred and four thousand and 
sixty-two rations in storehouse. Ninety-six thousand to 
arrive tomorrow, as all trains were loaded which had ar- 
rived at Bridgeport up to the i6th ; probably three hundred 
wagons. We will hold the town till we starve." 

The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps froin the East, under 
Hooker, were ordered to reinforce Thomas at Chattanooga. 
About the 21st, all the cavalry was ordered to Dechard to 
be reviewed by General Grant, who was on his way to Chat- 
tanooga. This important occasion required some little prep- 
aration and cleaning up, after which we returned to our 
camp. 



108 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

On the 25th, the First Tennessee went on a scout to 
Estell Springs and Tullahoma. on the Nashville & Chatta- 
nooga railroad. From Tullahoma the regiment turned west 
and moved to Lynchburg, encamping there for the night. 
On the morning of the 27th, the First Tennessee returned 
to camp near Winchester. On the 30th, a detachment of the 
regiment, under Lieutenant Bowman, of Company K, was 
sent to Bellefont. Alabama, where he captured six men and 
returned to camp without loss. The number of miles trav- 
eled by the First Tennessee during the months of September 
and October reached the grand total of seven hundred and 
fifty. 

Now came a short rest spell, the first since leaving Tri- 
une in June, giving us an opportunity to clean up and remove 
the accumulated dust of the past month. Since the opening 
of this mid-summer campaign, the First Tennessee had 
marched almost day and night over rough mountain roads, 
through rain, nuid, heat and dust, and during a part of that 
time living on short rations. Men and horses were com- 
pletely worn out, consequently we all enjoyed this season of 
rest, ^^'e laid cait a regular camp and again enjoyed the 
luxury of sleeping in our little "dog-tents," and wearing 
blacked boots and '"boiled" shirts. During our stay at \\'in- 
chester, the duty was exceedingly light, consequently the 
men and horses were well rested and recruited by the time 
the next move was made. 

On the i6th of November, General D. S. Stanlev was 
relieved from duty as chief of cavalry. Army of the Cum- 
berland, and General ^^^ L. Elliott placed in command. 

While Bragg's army lay in front of Chattanooga, Long- 
street, one of his most trusted lieutenants, was detached and 
sent to operate against Burnside. who was holding East 
Tennessee with a small force, with his headquarters at Knox- 
ville. Loudon, thirty miles southwest of Knoxville, was held 
by Burnside as an outpost of his army. On the 3rd day of 
November, Longstreet left his position in front of Chatta- 
nooga and moved up the valley toward Knoxville, with a 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 109 

force of at least twenty-five thousand men. His orders were 
to drive Burnside and his army out of East Tennessee. 

This bold move of Longstreet caused some little uneasi- 
ness about the safety of our army, as it was a long distance 
from its base of supplies, with bad roads and a mountainous 
country intervening. The country had been stripped of sup- 
plies necessary for the maintenance of an army by the enemy, 
which up to this time had been held by them. But the loyal 
and patriotic people of East Tennessee came to the rescue 
of the Union army, and by various methods succeeded in 
keeping Burnside's army from starving during that terrible 
winter of 1863-4, dividing the last pound of bacon and 
bushel of wheat and corn. 

On the i8th, McCook's division was ordered to Alexan- 
dria. The First Tennessee moved with the division through 
Shelbvville, Murfreesboro and Milton. From the latter 
place, Campbell's brigade moved to Liberty and went into 
camp at the junction of the Auburn and Liberty turnpikes. 
The remainder of the division was ordered to Alexandria. 
While the regiment lay encamped at Liberty, the paymaster 
visited our camp and made us happy, while we in turn made 
our sutler happy by paying up "old scores" and purchasing 
gloves, canned goods, cider and other bottled stuff the boys 
called "fightin' whiskey," paying the sutler his price, which 
was equal to the "dutchman's" one per cent. Zack Sanders 
was our sutler and Silas Fitzwater was his clerk, both good 
fellows and popular with the boys. Fresh horses and a new 
outfit of clothing were issued to the men, and from all "signs" 
we began to think that there was hard work before us. 
Nothing worthy of mention occurred while the regiment lay 
at Liberty. 

On the 25th, the First Tennessee and one battalion of 
the Ninth Pennsylvania, all under the command of Colonel 
Brownlow, were detached and sent to Sparta for the pur- 
pose of driving out Champ Ferguson, Colonels Hughes and 
Murray, who, with their bands of irregular soldiers, were 
making it exceedingly unpleasant and hot for the Union 



110 HISTORY OF riRST RKCniKXt 

people in that locality and the small sqnads of Union soldiers 
that sconted through that country. This movement was 
unusually hazardous in its nature, hecause of the rough 
topography of the country and the dangerous practice Fer- 
guson's men had of shooting from behind trees. The day 
was cold and the march made through a drizzly rain, and 
when we reached a little hamlet called Yankeetown. our ad- 
vance encountered the enemy. After several hours spent in 
skirmishing and maneuvering, the enemy fell back, and we 
pushed on to Caney Fork, a tributary of Cumberland River, 
which we found past fording. 

Colonel Brownlow found one small tlatboat that woukl 
scarcelv carry fifteen men and horses at a trip. It looked 
dangerous, and at the same time it seemed like a slow process 
to attempt to take the men and horses of Brownlow's com- 
mand across in so frail a craft. But Brownlow was equal 
to the emergency. He set a detail to work taking the men 
and e([uipments across the swollen stream, while the re- 
mainder unsaddled the horses and forced them to swim the 
river. We experienced great trouble in getting our horses 
in the notion to swim the rivei . It was cold and chilly, and 
when we led them into the icy water their instinct caused 
them to "rebel,"" and many a poor and unruly horse was 
severely chastised before he could be induced to brave the 
current and swim to the opposite shore. The crossing was 
made, however, without the loss of a man and but few 
horses. 

Colonel Brownlow moved his little army on to Sparta 
and immediatel)' took possession of the town, placing his 
men in the public buildings for better protection in case of 
an attack. Sparta is located near the foot of Cumberland 
Mountain, and is surrounded by fertile tields and beautiful 
scenery. The inhabitants were hostile, antl we were given 
a very cold reception on account of the color of our uniforms 
and the flags we carried. Every road leading into Sparta 
was well picketed to prevent surprise, for near by a large 
force, under Champ Ferguson, lay ready to swoop down 
upon us if we were caught "napping." 



TCXXESSF.K VOLUXTEKR CAVALRY. Ill 

On the morning of the 30th, Lieutenant Bowman, of 
Company K, with a small detachment from the regiment, was 
sent out on a scout, and when a short distance from camp 
was attacked by a large force under Hughes and Ferguson. 
Lieutenant Bowman was routed and driven back, with a loss 
of four killed and three wounded. This guerrilla band 
showed them no mercy, but like savages killed all they cap- 
tured. When Lieutenant Bowman reached town and re- 
ported the fact, Colonel Brownlow ordered immediate pur- 
suit with his whole command, and his orders were, "Take 
no prisoners." A few miles from town they were overtaken 
and a running fight ensued, in which the enemy lost nine 
killed and twenty wounded. The loss in the First Tennessee 
in this day's work was as follows : 

Killed — Company E, Corporal F. j\L Carr; Company 
F, Sergeant Oscar D. Steele; Company K, Sergeant D. B. 
Phillips and Private W. A. Headrick. 

Wounded — Company A, Private W. L. Robinson ; Com- 
pany K, Corporal Jacob Smith and Private D. L. Stanley. 
Stanley died a few days later of his wounds. 

Hughes, in his report of the engagement, says : "On 
the 30th, a fight occurred between my command and a party 
of Colonel Brownlow's (Tennessee) regiment. For the 
numbers engaged the fighting was very severe." '•' '^- * 
After this we were not interrupted any more by this 
band of bushwhackers. By the end of the month the whole 
division reached Sparta, where it remained until the 7th of 
December. In this engagement the Ninth Pennsylvania lost 
Captain T. S. AlcCahan and one private wounded. 



112 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER VIII. 

EAST TENNESSEE CA^[PATGN — CLIMBING THE CUMBERLAND. 
THE FIRST TENNESSEE AT HOME — A LIVELY SET-TO AT 
DANDRIDGE — A BRILLIANT CHARGE — THE SABER FREELY 
USED CHRISTMAS EVE IN CAMP. 

On the 2Sth, a sad accident occurred at the same ferry 
where the First Tennessee crossed Caney Fork. The Second 
Brigade was in charge of our division train, and in ferrying 
the wagons over, seven men of the Second Indiana Cavalry 
were drowned by the foundering of the boat. 

It now became apparent to all that a vigorous campaign 
was to be carried on all winter. \Yhile we were lying in 
camp at Sparta, an order was received from General Thomas, 
directing General Elliott, chief of cavalry. Army of the Cum- 
berland, to march at once with the First and Second Bri- 
gades, the Seventh Kentucky Cavalry, Third Brigade, and 
Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery — all of the First Division 
— and report to General Burnside at Knoxville. No order 
ever created so much enthusiasm in the First Tennessee as 
this one did. This movement would give scores of the men 
an opportunity to visit home and see father, mother, w'ife, 
brother, sister and sweetheart, or "the girl we left behind." 

Early on the morning of December 7, camp was broken, 
and soon the long, dark lines of ^^IcCook's division could be 
seen slowly winding along the crooks and turns of the old 
State road toward Kingston. We "tackled" old Cumberland 
IMountain again on this road, and after a hard day's march 
over bad roads we camped for the night near Crossville. 

Reveille was sounded at 4 o'clock the next morning, and 
after a hasty breakfast the column was again set in motion, 
and, descending the mountain, we bivouacked near Post Oak 




J.IKUTENANT F. J!. SKI.F. 

Conimissarv of Suljsistence 




.lA.MKS HAY, Kt'Or-KK OK COMPANY K 



TENNESSKE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 113 

Springs, The next day the whole division moved to King- 
ston, where it remained for two days, waiting for the wagons 
to close up, finding at this place plenty of forage for the 
horses. On the 14th, we were again in the saddle, and after 
a disagreeable march of twenty-five miles over bad roads 
and through a cold, drizzly rain, we camped in Hardin Val- 
ley, five miles from Ball Camp. 

We were now within fifteen miles of Knoxville, and at 
7 a. m. on the 15th, the line of march was taken up and when 
the command reached Third Creek, five miles from Knox- 
ville, General McCook halted his division for a short time, 
to allow the line to close up and get ready for the grand entry 
into Knoxville. General McCook gave the First Tennessee 
the honor of leading his division through Knoxville, it being 
the home of Colonel Brownlovv and many of his men. The 
band of the Second Indiana Cavalry was ordered forward to 
the head of the column, and the march resumed. 

We entered Knoxville by the Middlebrook and Clinton 
roads, and on the range of hills just west of town we passed 
through Longstreet's main line of works. Shortly after 
passing this point, we caught sight of Fort Sanders and 
Benjamin's "dogs of war," which were still peeping through 
the embrasures, looking bold and defiant. This fort had 
been furiously assaulted by Longstreet's troops on the 29th 
of November, in which they were repulsed with severe loss. 
The huge forts and the long line of new-looking earthworks 
that crowned the crests of the hills and ridges that almost 
encircle the town bore the marks of battle and told in silent 
language that "past events had cast their shadows behind." 

We proudly entered our native town about 3 p. m., and 
marched down Gay street in platoons, with colors flying and 
bands playing, and were warmly greeted by the loyal people 
of Knoxville who lined the streets to witness the parade of 
McCook's veterans. Where Reservoir street crossed Gay, 
we passed through Burnside's main line of works, the yellow 
clay towering high above our heads. General Burnside made 
his headquarters during the siege in the old Crozier mansion 



114 HISTORY OF 1-IRST REGIMEXT 

on Gay street, but was relieved a few days before we reached 
Knoxville. and we were reviewed by his successor. General 
John G. Foster. Turnins: east on Cumberland street, we 
passed the home of Rev. W. G. Brownlow. whose son Jim 
was colonel of the regiment. The "parson" — as he was 
familiarly called — and his family came out and witnessed 
witli a groat deal of interest the regfiment as it marched by. 
imdor the command of its youthful colonel. We gave the 
"parson" and his interesting family three rousing cheers as 
wo marched by. Possibly no family in all East Tennessee 
had been so cruelly and unmercifully treated by the dis- 
loyal people and bands of Confederate soldiers, who were 
urged to call and pass insults upon the Browidow family. 
But with all the cruel treatment, this loyal and patriotic 
family bore it all. resented insults, defended the "old Hag." 
and never for once did they cease their devotion to the Union 
and love for the glorious old flag that today tloats proudly 
over a free people, the sight of which every true American 
should respect and honor. John was also in the Union 
army, he being lieutonant-colont.1 of the Ninth Tennessee 
Cavalry. 

We had marched nearly three himdred miles, over bad 
roads, crossing mountains and fording rivers and swollen 
streams, bringing with us our artillery and wagons without 
loss, to find the siege of Knoxville raised and the Confed- 
erates under Long-street gone, he having left on the 5th of 
December and moved northeast, toward Rutledge. Long- 
street had learned of Bragg's defeat at Missionary Ridge on 
the 25th of November, and detennined to attack Burnside 
in his works before Grant could reinforce him. 

He selected Fort Sanders, one of the strongest and best 
built forts in Knoxville, as the point where the attack shoidd 
be made. It was named for the young and g-allant Ken- 
tuckian who was Burnside's chief of cavalry, who gfave up 
his life early in the siege a short distance south of the fort. 
This fort was laid out by Captain O. ]\L Poe. chief engineer 
Anny of the Ohio, and was on a hill just west of the 



TENNESSEE VOEUNTEER CAVALRY. 115 

University of Tennessee. Captain Poe, in his report of the 
East Tennessee campaign, gives the following description of 
Fort Sanders : 

"It is a bastioned earthwork, built upon an irregular 
quadrilateral, the sides of which arc respectively one hun- 
dred and twenty-five yards southern front, ninety-five yards 
western front, one hundred and twenty-five yards northern 
front and eighty-five yards eastern front. The eastern front 
was entirely open, and is to be closed with a stockade ; the 
southern front was about haif done; the western front was 
finished, except cutting the embrasures, and the northern 
front was nearly finished. Each bastion was intended to 
have a pan coupe. The bastion attacked was the only one 
that was completely finished. The ditch in front of the fort 
was twelve feet in width and in many places as much as 
eight feet deep. The irregularity of the site was siich that 
the bastion angles were very heavy, the relief of the lightest 
one being twelve feet. The relief of the one attacked was 
about thirteen feet, which, together with the depth of the 
ditch, say seven feet, made a height of twenty feet from the 
bottom of the ditch to the interior crest." 

The garrison of Fort Sanders on the morning (Sunday) 
of the assault consisted of Lieutenant S. N. Benjamin's 
Battery E, Second United States Artillery, with four 20- 
pounder Parrott guns ; Captain W. W. Buckley's Battery 
D, First Rhode Island Artillery, four 12-pounder Napoleons 
and two three-inch steel guns ; and one section of Captain 
Jacob Roemer's Battery L, Second New York Light Artil- 
lery ; the Seventy-ninth New York Highlanders, and por- 
tions of the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts and Twentieth 
Michigan, one company from the One Hundredth Pennsyl- 
vania and Second Michigan — in all about three hundre'd men, 
commanded by First Lieutenant Benjamin, Second United 
States Artillery. 

In addition to the deep ditch in front of the fort, tele- 
graph wire was stretched from stump to stump, so that when 
the enemy moved forward on their wild charge they were 



116 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

tripped by the wire, producing great confusion in their ranks 
as they tumbled and fell in confused heaps. This plan of ob- 
struction was the work of the fertile brain of Mr. J. B. 
Hoxie, a loyal and patriotic citizen of Knoxville, now de- 
ceased, who first suggested it to Burnside. The hero of the 
East Tennessee campaign saw it was a good suggestion, and 
ordered it put into execution. 

Fort Sanders was evidently the key to the defense, and 
against it Longstreet — Lee's "old war-horse" — hurled his 
trusted veterans. It is not generally known that General 
Leadbetter, chief engineer Army of the Tennessee, who 
reached Longstreet's headquarters on November 25th, sug- 
gested, after a hasty inspection and reconnoissance of the 
entire Union line, that in his opinion INIabry Hill was the 
weakest point and promised the best result in case of an 
assault. But after another inspection on the 27th, by Long- 
street, Leadbetter, Jenkins and Alexander, Longstreet's chief 
of artillery, all came to the conclusion that the ground over 
which the troops would have to pass wj^s too much exposed 
and the distance to be overcome under fire was too great, 
consequently it was abandoned. 

The assault was made by three brigades of IMcLaw's 
division, composed of Georgia, Mississippi and South Caro- 
lina troops. Longstreet ordered the assault to be made in 
two columns, thinking that the spirit of rivalry between the 
two brigades that were to lead the assault — one being from 
Georgia and the other from ]\lississippi — would be sufficient 
cause to urge them to their work with increased dash and 
courage. Woford's brigade, now commanded by Colonel 
S. Z Ruff. Eighteenth Georgia, was composed of the Six- 
teenth, Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth Georgia, Cobb's and 
Phillipps' Legion and the Third Georgia Battalion of Sharp- 
shooters. Humphries Brigade. Thirteenth. Seventeenth, 
Eighteenth and Twenty-first Mississippi. These two bri- 
gades were supported by portions of Anderson's and Bryan's 
brigades, composed of Georgians and South Carolinians, all 
well-seasoned veterans. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 117 

The troops were formed for the assault at 4 o'clock 
Sunday morning-, November 29. Rain had fallen during- the 
week and on the 27th it turned cold. The water in the ditch 
was covered with ice and the steep sides of Fort Sanders 
were also frozen, making it almost impossible for the men 
to gain a foothold in their vain attempt to scale the slippery 
parapet. A dense fog hung lazily about the river, completely 
shutting out the movements of both armies on this part of 
the line. 

About daybreak on the 29th, the enemy suddenly opened 
a terrific artillery fire on Fort Sanders, which was immedi- 
ately responded to by the Union guns all along the lines. In 
a short time the enemy's fire slackened and then from the 
direction of the railroad the enemy moved up the gentle 
slope toward the fort, while the guns of Benjamin, Buckley 
and Roemer poured out "thunder and lightning." As they 
approached the fort, the well-known rebel yell was heard 
above the roar of battle, then the black-throated monsters 
from the fort, double and triple-shotted, pierced the advanc- 
ing column through and through, making wide gaps, which 
were quickly filled. 

On they came with a yell, tumbling and falling when 
the wires were reached, while only a few rods away the 
deadly volkn's from the muskets were cutting them down 
like grain before the reaper. At the ditch they paused for 
a moment only, but, forcing their way across the ditch, they 
attempted to gain the fort by climbing its icy sides. A few 
gained the crest, to be shot down and roll back into the 
ditch, which was full of men, some yelling, others groaning. 
Now the real destruction came, when the 20-pound shells, 
with fuse cut short, were lighted and tossed over the parapet 
into the crowded ditch. The enemy, being unable to cap- 
ture the fort, now broke and fled to the rear, leaving hun- 
dreds of killed and wounded around the fort and in the ditch. 
Others, finding it useless to keep up the fight and being 
unable to get away, surrendered. 

E. A. Pollard, the great Southern historian, makes the 



118 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

followino^ mention of the battle of Fort Sanders : "There 
was a spatter of blood and brains. In this terrible ditch the 
dead were piled eight and ten deep. In comparatively an 
instant of time we lost seven hnndred in killed, wounded and 
prisoners. Never, excepting at Gettysburg, was there in 
the history of the war a disaster adorned with the glory of 
such devout courage as Longstreet's repulse at Knoxville." 

The official returns of Longstreet's assistant adjutant- 
general show the following loss in the assault on Fort San- 
ders : one hundred and twenty-nine killed, four hundred and 
fifty-eight wounded, and two hundred and twenty-six cap- 
tured, making a total of eight hundred and thirteen. Some- 
thing over one thousand stands of arms fell into our hands, 
and three battle-flags. The prisoners captured represented 
eleven different regiments. The Union loss was eight killed 
and five wounded. The loss in McLaw's division showed 
the splendid fighting qualities of his officers and men in their 
attempt to capture the fort. 

Among the officers of higher rank who fell in the as- 
sault and in the ditch were : Colonel Ruff, Eighteenth Geor- 
gia, commanding Woford's brigade ; Colonel McElroy, 
Thirteenth Mississippi : Colonel Thomas, Sixteenth Georgia, 
besides majors, captains and lieutenants. Lieutenant-Col- 
onel J. C. Fiser, of the Seventeenth ^Mississippi, lost an arm 
while attempting to scale the parapet of Fort Sanders. The 
assaulting column numbered about four thousand men and 
was formed for the assault near where the Knoxville Woolen 
Mills now stand. 

Longstreet had promised his men that they should dine 
in Knoxville on the 29th. but it turned out that not more 
than two hundred and twenty-six availed themselves of the 
opportunity, and among them was Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. 
O'Brien, of the Thirteenth Mississippi \'olunteers, a brother 
of ]\Irs. ^^^ G. Brownlow. He bravely forced his way up the 
steep wall of the fort and was captured inside. Burnside 
granted Longstreet a truce, in order that he might care for 
his wounded and burv the dead. Longstreet recalled his 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 119 

broken and shattered columns, withdrew his army from 
Knoxville and moved into upper East Tennessee, where his 
army spent the remainder of the winter, subsisting wholly 
on the country. There were numerous eng-agements and 
skirmishes during the winter, and toward spring he left Ten- 
nessee and rejoined Lee in Virginia. 

Let us now return and follow the movements of the 
cavalry under McCook. On the 15th of December, the day 
of our arrival in Knoxville, General Elliott, commander-in- 
chief of the cavalry. Army of the Cumberland, who had ac- 
companied McCook's division to East Tennessee, reported 
to General Foster, who had succeeded General Ikirnside in 
the command of the Army of the Ohio, with headquarters 
at Knoxville. Foster ordered Elliott to immediately cross 
Holston River and attack the enemy's cavalry under Martin, 
at or near Morristown. 

In pursuance of the above orders, and without delay, 
the First Tennessee, with the remainder of the division, left 
Knoxville and moved northeast toward Strawberry Plains. 
We crossed the Holston on the 15th at Armstrong's Ford, 
which was barely fordable and rising, and went into camp a 
few miles beyond. Reveille called us at 4 o'clock the next 
morning, and at 8 o'clock we resumed the march, reaching 
Strawberry Plains, on the East Tennessee railroad and seven- 
teen miles from Knoxville, where we bivouacked for the 
night. At this point, Elliott reported to General S. D. Stur- 
giss, chief of cavalry, Army of the Ohio, who by virtue of 
his rank took command of all the cavalry then operating in 
East Tennessee. 

This was the beginning of the ever-memorable East 
Tennessee campaign, so well remembered by the survivors of 
the First Tennessee. After one day's rest at Strawberry 
Plains, the division moved on the 17th to McKinney's Ford, 
where it crossed the Holston, which was deep, and after a 
hard and disagreeable day's march went into camp near 
Blaine's Cross Roads. Here we found the most of our army 
'n camp, with but little to eat, standing around their camp- 



120 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

fires "thawing out" one side, while the other froze, the 
weather being cold and disagreeable, with now and then a 
light fall of snow. The farmers in their crippled condition 
had hardly produced enough to keep the "wolf" from their 
own doors, nuich less furnish supplies for two armies. 

The next day we moved forward to Richland Creek, 
and went into camp along the southwest side. Stone's Mill 
on Richland Creek was kept busy day and night, grinding up 
whatever amount of grain our foragers could find for the 
use of the army. Just a short distance north of us lay the 
Confederate army under Longstreet, hungry, shoeless and 
thinly clad, and very much discouraged, their future being 
dark and gloomy. The weather still continued to be cold, 
the mercury "tumbling" away below the freezing point and 
w^as rapidly approaching zero. This sudden freeze made the 
roads exceedingly rough, so that our movements were both 
difficult and dangerous, but with the elements around us and 
the enemy in front of us, we tried to make ourselves as com- 
fortable as possible under the circumstances. 

Early on the morning of the 23rd. we left camp at 
Richland Creek and, recrossing the Holtson at Nance's Ford, 
moved up the valley to New iMarket, a pleasant little village 
whose inhabitants were intensely loyal. This was the home 
of Russell Thornburgh. the senior major of the regiment. 
This was a hard and disagreeable day's march, being made 
over bad roads, and late at night we went into camp about 
two miles beyond town on the Dandridge road, cold, weary 
and hungry. 

On the morning of the 24th, Campbell's brigade and 
Lillv's battery were ordered to Dandridge to attack a C(?n- 
federate force at that place. Reveille was sounded at 3 a. m., 
and soon the whole camp was astir ; the camp-fires were re- 
kindled, and, after partaking of a hasty breakfast, we 
mounted and marched toward Dandridge. Colonel Gar- 
rard's brigade of cavalry, Army of the Ohio, moved on the 
Bull's Gap road and was to unite with Campbell's brigade 
near Dandridge. We crossed Bay's iNIountain at Flat Gap, 



TENNESSEE VOI.UNTEER CAVALRY. 121 

and at 9 a. m. reached Dandridge and found the place un- 
occupied. Campbell halted his brigade at the far edge of 
town, to await the arrival of Garrard's brigade. 

After waiting about one hour, Campbell received a dis- 
patch from Garrard to advance at once on the Bull's Gap 
road to his support, as the enemy were advancing on his 
brigade. The First Tennessee, under Colonel Brownlow, 
was ordered to advance, which it did, and soon commenced 
skirmishing with Russell's brigade. Lilly's battery was 
placed in position and the Second Michigan ordered to sup- 
port it. After driving the enemy back a short distance, they 
opened on Brownlow with artillery, and at the same time 
advanced their whole line and were pressing his regiment so 
close that Campbell sent the Ninth Pennsylvania and one 
section of Lilly's battery forward on the gallop to the support 
of Colonel Brownlow. 

A detachment of the First Tennessee charged the 
enemy's dismounted skirmishers, killing three and capturing 
fifteen prisoners. The enemy ran forward three guns and 
opened a vigorous fire, but fortunately very few of our men 
were w^ounded. The two guns of Lilly's battery were placed 
on a hill near Hay's Ferry, about four miles from Dandridge, 
and after shelling them vigorously for a short time the enemy 
fell back and all became quiet on this part of the line. Camp- 
bell received an order from Garrard requesting him to move 
forward on the same road, .'^aying that his brigade would 
move on a parallel road to his left. Colonel Campbell im- 
mediately moved the Ninth Pennsylvania in column along 
the road and the First Tennessee in line of battle on the right 
of the road, the right of the regiment resting on French 
Broad River; the Second Michigan was dismounted and 
placed in line to support the battery. 

The First Tennessee and Ninth Pennsylvania had ad- 
vanced about half a mile when Campbell ordered them to 
halt, he having received an order from General Sturgis to 
return to New Market. At this moment, heavy firing was 
heard in his rear, where the remaining artillery, ambulances, 



122 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

pack-train and cooks were stationed under an escort of the 
Second Michigan. This attack was made by Crew's Geor- 
g;ia brigade, who succeeded by overwhehning numbers in 
capturing two guns and scattering the pack-train and cooks 
in all directions. The remainder of the Second ^Michigan 
and the Ninth Pennsylvania were ordered to charge and 
recapture the guns. 

The order was executed with promptness and great gal- 
lantry, and after a fierce struggle in which the saber was 
freely used, the guns were recaptured and the enemy driven 
from the field, with severe loss in killed and wounded and 
fifteen prisoners. Among the former was Major Bales, com- 
manding the Sixth Georgia, who fell among the captured 
guns. Campbell's brigade was in a critical position — one 
brigade in front and one in the rear, and no tidings from 
Garrard. Colonel Campbell sent to Garrard for reinforce- 
ments, but the aide was unable to find him. Campbell's bri- 
gade was composed of well-seasoned veterans, and on that 
day did not exceed sixteen hundred men. 

The only way of escape was by falling back by a rough, 
hilly road to our left. We had for a commander an officer 
of undaunted courage, cool and self-possessed in action — a 
commander who did not lose his head when he got into a 
tight place. The artillery, ambulances and led horses were 
ordered into the woods and moved as rapidly as possible 
toward the New JMarket road, closely followed by the Ninth 
Pennsylvania and the First Tennessee. The Second [Michi- 
gan was dismounted and covered the rear. In this way 
Campbell moved his brigade back in good order for some 
distance, the enemy all the time pressing hard our rear and 
left t^ank. 

The Ninth Pennsylvania was ordered on this flank and 
soon relieved it. At the same time, Lilly's battery was 
placed in position some distance beyond, with the First 
Tennessee in line as a support. The enemy still continued to 
press our rear, and when the Second [Michigan and the Ninth 
Pennsylvania reached our position, Lilly opened a vigorous 



Tennessee: volunteer cavaery, 123 

fire from his three-inch Rodmans, which checked the enemy 
for a short time only. 

The enemy again advanced, and with superior num- 
bers attempted to capture our battery and drive us from the 
field. The fighting became severe all along the line, and it 
seemed that Campbell's little brigade would be swept from 
the field. The enemy pressed on close up to our guns, amid 
a perfect tempest of bullets from the carbines of the First 
Tennessee, while grape and canister flew thick and fast 
from Lilly's "black-throated monsters." Campbell now 
ordered the First Tennessee, under Colonel Brownlow, to 
charge the enemy with saber, which he did, driving them 
back in great confusion, but not without serious loss in his 
own ranks. The severe fire of the other two regiments at 
close range and the skill with which Lilly's guns were hand- 
led, seemed to satisfy the enemy, as they made no further at- 
tempt to press our lines, but fell back, and at dark we 
returned to New Market. 

Colonel Campbell, in his report of the battle of Dan- 
dridge, says: "I then ordered the First Tennessee Cavalry 
to charge with sabers, which they executed most nobly, 
driving the enemy's line over a fence, wnth severe loss to 
their ranks." 

The loss of the First Tennessee in this engagament was 
eleven killed and wounded and seven missing, as follows : 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Wounded — Major Russell Thornburgh, commanding 
First Battalion ; Captain Paul Sturm, Company H, 

ENLISTED MEN. 

Killed — Company D, Private William J. Robertson; 
Company E, Private Pleasant Anderson ; Company G. Pri- 
vate Jacob L Mallory. 

Mortally Wounded — Company A, Aaron Fields, died 
in hospital at Knoxville, Tcnn., February 20, 1864; Com- 
pany K, Private Allen Bennett, died of wounds, date un- 
known. 



124 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Wounded — Company F, Private Samuel H. Humbard; 
Company I, Privates Jacob Rector and G. F. Johnson ; Com- 
pany L, Sergeant Isaac F. Cartwright. 

Company C was not in this engagement, it being ab- 
sent guarding Dyer's Ferry, on Holston River. The regi- 
ment lost thirty-two horses killed and wounded. The other 
two regiments lost about the same number of men, and the 
battery one. One of Lilly's guns was disabled by the break- 
ing of an axle. It was spiked and left on the field, but was 
recaptured by our division at Fair Garden, Tennessee, the 
27th of January, 1864. 

This short but spirited engagement is known in history 
as the battle of Dandridge, and was fought on the 24th day 
of December, on the farm of ]\Ir. B. A. Blackburn, a true 
Unionist, who so kindly took care of our wounded. Though 
our little brigade had contended all day against superior 
numbers, yet the eneni}- seemed well satisfied with the pun- 
ishment inflicted upon them, by allowing us to withdraw 
from the field at dark and quietly march back to New Alar- 
ket. This was a hard day's work. We had been in the 
saddle since early in the morning without food ; had marched 
and counter-marched over thirty-five miles of road, fought 
one battle, and at night were again on the "old camp 
ground." 

This was a sad Christmas Eve to us, and as we gath- 
ered around the camp-fires to discuss the events of the day, 
many an unbidden tear could be seen trickling down the 
tanned faces of the men when reference was made to those 
who had fallen in battle during the day. Wliilc great prep- 
arations were being made in our far-oft" homes for a grand 
feast for the next day, the liien of the First Tennessee were 
thinking of the feast in store for them the following day, as 
the regiment was under orders to march at daylight and 
could not tell how "j\Ierry Christmas" would be spent. 

Late at night we lay down on the cold ground, without 
tents, and, wrapping our blankets around us to keep out 
winter's chilly blasts, were soon oft' into dreamland, while 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 125 

visions of roast turkey, plum pudding and pumpkin pie 
flitted before us, the weary vedette on the lonely picket-post 
standing through the stillness of the night, guarding the 
army as it slept. 



126 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER IX. 

HOW CPIRISTMAS WAS SPENT — BATTLE OE MOSSY CREEK — 
DEATH OF CAPTAIN CANNON AND LIEUT. COX — A GAL- 
LANT CHARGE INDIAN FIGHTING IN THE MOUNTAINS 

— CAPTURING A WAGON TRAIN. 

McCook's division moved at daylight on the morning 
of the 25th, along the Mossy Creek road, with LaGrange's 
Second Brigade in the adavnce, and when within two and a 
half miles of Mossy Creek, LaGrange encountered the ad- 
vance of Armstrong's division. After a brief skirmish the 
enemy fell back, Lilly's battery firing a few shots to hurry 
them along. On reaching Mossy Creek, McCook halted his 
division and formed it in line of battle across the valley a 
short distance below town. 

The First Tennessee was formed in line to the left of 
the railroad. A skirmishers' line was thrown out, and the 
men ordered to dismount, and in this position we remained 
during the day. It was a cold, raw day, with a keen, cut- 
ting wind sweeping up the valley like a Kansas cyclone, and 
as no fires were allowed we passed a very uncomfortable 
day. This was our second "Merry Christmas" spent in the 
field, and as we looked back we remembered that just one 
short year ago we were being transported down the Ohio 
River to Louisville. 

This was a day of merriment and rejoicing all over the 
land. Great feasts were to be served in cheerful homes 
around blazing fires, but soldiers in the field were differ- 
ently situated, for sometimes they would feast for several 
days in succession and then starve as many. But on this 
occasion the First Tennessee had a feast that they were not 
ashamed of, namely, raw bacon, hard tack and cold water. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 127 

While our Christmas dinner was not sumptuous, yet it was 
healthful and easily prepared, and we were thankful to be 
permitted to take this simple meal in peace. 

We bivouacked on the field, and the next morning 
moved through Mossy Creek and went into camp about one 
mile beyond, and to the left of the railroad. Our camp was 
in a heavy grove of timber, \yhich afforded the troops some 
protection, as it was still very cold. The next two or three 
days were spent in picketing, scouting and skirmishing. 
The hard realities of active campign life were now upon us, 
in the midst of bitter cold weather, with bad roads, scanty 
rations and a hostile foe near by. Indeed, it was a "Valley 
Forge" to us, yet with all these hardships thrust upon us 
we loved the old flag and the cause we were fighting for, and 
responded to duty cheerfully. 

Longstreet's cavalry, which was greatly superior in 
numbers to ours, lay at that lime only a short distance above 
our camp and was commanded by General W. T. Martin, 
and was composed of the divisions of Morgan, Armstrong, 
Ransom and Wharton. The only troops that were con- 
fronting this large body of cavalry at that time were Mc- 
Cook's division and a small brigade under the command of 
Colonel Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, the re- 
mainder of the cavalry. Army of the Ohio, being stationed 
at other points. 

On the morning of the 29th, General Sturgis, who was 
in command of all the cavalry then operating in East Ten- 
nessee, learned that a brigade of the enemy's cavalry had 
moved to Dandridge, and decided to surprise and destroy 
it. He sent the most of the cavalry off on this "Tom Fool" 
trip, leaving only Campbell's brigade to hold Mossy Creek. 
The whole camp was astir early in the morning, and at 5 
o'clock LaGrange's brigade left their camp above Mossy 
Creek, with one section of Lilly's battery, and moved toward 
Bay's Mountain to support a movement that was to be made 
on Dandridge by Wolford's cavalry. Army of the Ohio. 

This left only the small brigade of Colonel Campbell 



128 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

to cover the entire front of our camp and hold the valley. 
Campbell's brigade was encamped near the ]\Iorristo\vn road 
and about two miles east of Mossy Creek. The First Ten- 
nessee and the Second Michig-an were formed in line of 
battle across the valley early in the morning, the First Ten- 
nessee on the right, between the railroad and the Morristown 
road, with the Second Michigan on our left. The wagons 
had been sent to the rear early in the morning. The Ninth 
Pennsylvania and the three remaining guns of Lilly's bat- 
tery were placed in position a short distance east of Mossy 
Creek. 

As soon as all the troops had reached their respective 
positions, Campbell moved up the valley with the First Ten- 
nessee and Second Michigan. About a mile beyond our 
camp, Campbell halted his brigade and threw out a line of 
skirmishers. He remained in this position until about lo 
a. m., when word was sent in by his pickets on the Morris- 
town road that the enemy was advancing in force, with eight 
or ten pieces of artillery. The enemy continued to advance, 
and after driving in the pickets encountered his skirmishers, 
which were some distance out. 

There was a sharp, rattling fire along the skirmish line, 
after which they fell back, closely followed by the enemy in 
line of battle, with flags waving and arms flashing in the sun- 
light. It was an exciting moment, and we began to think 
that it was another Dandridge scrape. But Campbell was 
equal to the occasion. Seeing that his little brigade was 
greatly out-numbered, he gave orders to fall back. The 
enemy pressed forward, showing several lines of battle, and 
with superior numbers attempted to out-flank him, at the 
same time using his artillery at close range. 

We fell back to the residence of Stokely Williams, a 
large, two-story, brick house, and during the engagement 
it was struck several times by flying shells. Here Camp- 
bell was compelled to halt his brigade and fight. The enemy 
w^as close upon us and at the same time opened a severe fire 
from a battery at close range, and soon the air about us was 




CAPTAIX E. .1. CANXOX, COMPANY C 

Killed at Mossy Creek, Teiin., December 29, 1X63 




(liENEKAL S. P. CAHTEH 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 129 

filled with missiles of all sizes, shapes and kinds, "whirling 
and whizzing," producing a most unearthly sound, a sound 
that would chill the blood of the bravest veteran. Some of 
our boys at the pack-train went so far as to investigate these 
strange-sounding missiles when they had, like "grandfather's 
clock," stopped short never to go again, and reported that 
Longstreet was shooting railroad iron at us. 

Colonel Campbell ordered the First Tennessee to charge 
the enemy on the right of the brick house, which it did with 
a yell, driving back their center and halting their whole 
line. At the same tirhe the Second Michigan, which was 
fighting dismounted, opened a destructive fire with their 
Colt's rifles at close range, which completely staggered their 
line. During this temporary check, Campbell ordered his 
brigade to fall back and take up a new position near where 
Lilly's battery and the Ninth Pennsylvania were stationed, 
hotly contesting every inch of ground as he fell back. 

"Lilly's battery was on a slight elevation between the 
railroad and the Morristown road. The First Tennessee was 
placed in line in front of the battery and in a slight depres- 
sion, with the right of the regiment resting on the railroad; 
the Second Michigan and the Ninth Pennsylvania were on 
our left. Our lines were hardly formed when the enemy 
opened on us with ten guns, and it began to look like the 
regiment and battery would be swept from the field. It was 
the most terrific artillery fire the regiment had ever been 
under, but we lay there and took it all, not firing a shot. 

It was exceedingly monotonous lying there taking all 
their old scrap-iron, giving nothing in return. Men and 
horses were going down at almost every discharge. Cor- 
poral W. W. Wells, Company D, was the first victim, his 
body being almost cut in two with a solid shot. It was three 
guns against ten, but all this time Captain Lilly's three-inch 
Rodmans were speaking in thunder tones, whose iron 
throats had carried death and destruction to the enemy on 
other fields, while his men and horses were being cut down — 
yet, strange to say, not one of his guns was silenced or dis- 
abled during this unequal contest. 



130 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Once more the order came to fall back, and as we 
moved to the left, the solid shot and exploding shells went 
crashing through the trees, doing no harm except cutting 
off limbs and tearing up trees. The enemy now seemed 
more bold and defiant, and with superior numbers expected 
to win an easy victory. We moved only a short distance to 
the left, where a new line of battle was formed, with the 
First Tennessee in the center. Our lines were hardly formed 
when the enemy came charging upon us in such overwhelm- 
ing numbers that we were driven back and the day seemed 
lost. The enemy used every effort to confuse and break our 
retreating lines, but all their attempts were fruitless. 

Oh, how we longed for the old Second Brigade of our 
division ! The day was fast wearing away and the sun was 
almost lost behind the western hills, and whatever was to be 
done must be done quickly, or the day would be lost. The 
fighting was severe all along the line, and we were again 
compelled to yield ground, falling back a short distance to 
the edge of the woods. The enemy, seeing us falling back, 
now rushed on after us with their well-known "rebel yell," 
and when they reached the edge of the wood Colonel 
Brownlow ordered his troops to fire, but, disregarding the 
effects of so hot a fire, they continued to advance. 

Colonel Brownlow, seeing the boldness and courage that 
the enemy were displaying in still advancing upon him under 
so hot a fire, suggested to Campbell the propriety of making 
a spirited saber charge, believing this to be the only means 
of saving the day, as "desperate diseases require desperate 
remedies." Colonel Campbell remarked that such a line of 
battle could not be broken by a cavalry charge. Colonel 
Brownlow, realizing the danger of delay and the importance 
of immediate action, assumed the responsibility of ordering 
a charge. 

The order was given to draw sabers, and with a yell 
the First Tennessee, with its well-known gallantry, rushed 
upon the enemy in one of the most daring charges of the 
war. The spirit, courage, boldness and audacitv with which 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 131 

the charge was made has scarcely ever been equaled in the 
war, and the important effect that it produced was a matter 
of astonishment to those who witnessed it. We drove the 
enemy back into the woods, retaking a part of the lost 
ground, but were forced back with some loss, bringing back 
as prisoners, however, one officer and twenty-five enlisted 
men. 

At this critical moment a portion of Mott's brigade. 
Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, came upon the field. 
Cavalry, infantry and dismounted men now charged upon 
the enemy, who began to show signs of wavering, pouring 
volley after volley into their ranks, driving them through 
the woods in great confusion. The Second Brigade, which 
had been recalled, now reached the field and entered heartily 
into the chase, which was continued for some distance, halt- 
ing only when it became too dark to distinguish friend from 
foe. 

This was one of the most spirited and hotly contested 
cavalry engagements that occurred during the East Tennes- 
see campaign, and considering the severe fire to which the 
regiment was exposed for so long, its escape from great loss 
was one of the many "lucky ones." The First Tennessee 
does not claim all the honor or to have done all the fighting 
on that day, yet it is true that the regiment bore an honor- 
able part and fully sustained the brilliant reputation of the 
old "Volunteer State." General Martin had in this engage- 
ment the divisions of Morgan and Armstrong, numbering at 
least six thousand men, and with this superior force no 
doubt expected to win an easy victory. 

The casualties of the First Tennessee in this engage- 
ment were as follows : 

Killed and Died of Wounds — Company D, First Lieu- 
tenant Geo. W. Cox, Corporal W. W. Wells and Private 
Henry Wampler ; Company T, Corporal Andrew J. Drake 
and B. F. Hansford (died in hospital at Knoxville, date un- 
known) ; Company C, Captain Elbert J. Cannon (mortally 
wounded, died December 31), and Thos. G. Farrow; Com- 
pany E, Robert A. Vaughn ; Company G, L. L. Cope. 



V 



132 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Wounded — Company A, William Simpson ; Company 
F, Sergeant James Higgs and John Sweeney; Company C, 
Geo. W. Troutt and Henry O. Newman ; Company K, Ser- 
geant Alfred F. Rhea and Harvey Bales ; Company G, Ser- 
geant Frank Cunningham (severely) ; Company j\I, Elihu 
McNeece. 

Killed and died of wounds, two officers and seven en- 
listed men ; wounded, nine enlisted men ; total, eighteen. 

The First Tennessee lost some of its best and bravest 
men in this engagement. Captain Cannon and Lieutenant 
Cox were the tirst officers of the First Tennessee to fall in 
battle, and both fell leading their men in the moment of 
victory. They were officers of great promise, full of energy 
and thoroughly patriotic, were model soldiers, were men of 
unflinching courage and uncompromising integrity. They 
fell in the discharge of their duty, and their sudden removal 
at that moment was a loss we all keenly felt. Their vacant 
places cannot be filled, and the regiment mourned their loss. 

Captain Cannon and Lieutenant Cox were two of the 
original officers of the regiment. Captain Cannon was a 
Jefferson county man, and was killed almost in sight of his 
home. On the death of Captain Cannon, First Lieutenant 
Jacob K. Lones assumed command of Company C, and was 
shortly afterward promoted to captain. A. J. Gahagan was 
promoted from second to first lieutenant after the death of 
Lieutenant Cox. 

General jNIcCook, who commanded the divisoin at the 
battle of Mossy Creek, makes mention of the gallantry of 
the First Tennessee in his report, as follows: "The gallant 
First Tennessee Cavalry and their brave young commander, 
Colonel Brownlow, added new laurels to their brilliant repu- 
tation by the splendid saber charge they made. Among the 
other brave men whose loss we are called upon to mourn are 
Captain Cannon and Lieutenant Cox, First Tennessee Cav- 
alry, who fell at the head, leading a charge of their soldiers." 

Major H. C. Connelly, Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry, in a 
well-written article on "Campaigning with Burnside in East 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 133 

Tennessee," makes honorable mention of the gallantry of 
the First Tennessee at Mossy Creek. He says: "General 
Elliott, commanding a fine division of cavalry from the 
Army of the Cumberland, reinforced us. * * * On the 
morning of December 29, Longstreet advanced with most of 
his cavalry, a division of infantry and two batteries of artil- 
lery. Our loss this day was about one hundred killed, 
wounded and missing. The enemy lost from two hundred 
to four hundred. We buried twenty of their dead. In this 
fight the First Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Colonel 
Jim Brownlow, made a saber charge which did honor to this 
dashing officer and his soldiers." * * "' 

"The neighing troops, the flashing blade, 

The bugle's stirring blast, 
The charge, the dreadful cannonade, 
The din and shout are past." 

Soon after the battle of Mossy Creek, the Confederate 
cavalry fell back to Morristown and we spent the remaining 
days of the year quietly in camp. Drills and dress-parades 
were almost forgotten and were things of the past. Every- 
one doubtless remembers the first day of January, 1864 — 
Happy New Year — as the cold one. It is very forcibly fixed 
in the minds of the men composing the First Tennessee, for 
a heavy detail was made from the regiment for picket duty 
on the' first day of the year. The night was exceedingly cold, 
and many of the men were badly frost-bitten on the picket- 
line. 

The cold continued, with light falls of sleet and snow. 
The 30th dawned bright and clear, but by night the wind 
changed to the north, causing the mercury to fall from 
fifteen to twenty degrees below zero. It was so cold that 
the ponds from which we obtained our supply of water 
were frozen up, consequently it was no uncommon thing to 
see half a dozen men at a time cutting holes through the 
ice for water. Our rations were short, but we ate our 
parched corn and pork and, forgetting for the time being our 
own suffering and privations, thought of the loved ones at 



134 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

home, who possibly knew nothing of our real wants, and, 
uncertain of our fate, would at this season of festivities find 
little cheer at the table and fireside. 

On the 14th day of January, the First Tennessee moved 
with the remainder of the cavalry to Dandridge. where 
forage was more plentiful. In a few days we were joined 
by Grainger's Fourth and portions of the Xinth and Twenty- 
third Corps, all imder the command of General Park, num- 
bering in all about 20.000 men. This move was made on 
account of the concentration of Longstreet's anny at Russell- 
ville and the pushing forward of Hood's and Buckner's di- 
visions to Dandridge to reinforce Martin's cavalry, which 
was in camp near the latter place. 

We remained in camp near Dandridge until the middle 
of January, when the First Tennessee was detached and sent 
to the mountains of Xorth Carolina to fight a body of Indians 
and irregular troops under \'ance and Thomas. We broke 
camp and forded French Broad River at Evans' Island, and 
marched to Atchley's mill, on Pigeon River, three miles 
below Sevierville. where we camped for the night, after a 
cold and disagreeable march of eighteen miles. At this place 
we were joined by the Fifteenth Pennsylvania and the Tenth 
Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel \\'. J. Palmer. Fifteenth Penn- 
sylvania. 

\\'ord reached our camp that a band of Indians and 
some white troops, under the command of General R. B. 
A'ance. had crossed the Smoky or Blue Ridge Mountains, 
and were encamped on the headwaters of Cosby 's Creek, in 
Cocke county. Colonels Brownlow and Palmer broke camp 
at daylight and marched rapidly toward the enemy's camp, 
which they expected to surprise and capture. 

^^ e were the first Union soldiers to carry the "old flag" 
among these loyal and patriotic people, and were warmlv 
received and ablv assisted bv them, as thev knew the countrv 
well. 

The roads were exceedingly rough and hilly, and with 
the mercury down below zero our march was cold and cheer- 



TENNESSEE VOI.UNTEER CAVALRY. 135 

less and at the same time dangerous, for on all sides of the 
narrow, winding roads the water was converted into ice by 
nature's own process, making it hard for our horses to keep 
their feet. We marched along the narrow, ice-covered road, 
admiring the beautiful scenery of these "sky-kissed hills," 
whose craggy peaks were whitened with snow, singing as 
we marched along: 

"I iove thy rocks and rills, 
Thy woods and templed hills, 
i\Iy Iieart with rapture thrills, 
Like that above." 

This meditation was interrupted and cut short by a 
scout who dashed up and reported that the Indians were 
advancing upon us. Our little army was formed in line of 
battle and skirmishers thrown out, and after waiting a short 
time for an attack we were ordered forward and soon came 
in sight of their camp, when the whole command was or- 
dered to charge. With a wild hurrah we made for their 
camp, when they broke and quickly fled into the hills and 
up the mountain, uttering as they ran the most hideous and 
warlike yells that we had ever heard. 

We pursued them to the top of the mountain, killing 
and capturing a few, but the greater portion made their 
escape by hiding in the thick growth of laurel that com- 
pletely covered the side of the mountain. Some of the 
Indians were killed for refusing to surrender, they having 
been taught that the "Yankees" would kill them on sight, 
and, not being familiar with Indian warfare, the boys kept up 
the fire as long as a redskin was in sight. From the pris- 
oners taken, we learned that they were made to believe that 
they were fighting for the old flag, but said the flags did 
not look alike. They seemed to admire the rich colors of 
our company guidons as they fluttered in the mountain 
breeze. 

After the Indians had been driven across the moim- 
tain, we returned to our camp below Sevierville. This expe- 
dition was quite successful and was made without loss to 



136 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

our ranks. Our camp had hardly g^ot quiet when word was 
sent to our commanders that a wagon-train belonging to 
Long-street's army had crossed to the east side of French 
Broad River, a short distance above Dandridge, for the 
purpose of collecting forage and supplies for his army. The 
two resolute colonels determined to capture the train, and 
early on the morning of the 22nd the men were aroused by 
that old. familiar call, "boots and saddles," and in a short 
time Brownlow and Palmer were leading their troops rapidly 
toward the point where the train was reported to be. 

The wagons were overtaken some distance above Dand- 
ridge, near Muddy Creek, and the entire train, teamsters 
and train-guard, which consisted of a detachment of the 
Second South Carolina Infantry and some Tennessee troops, 
were captured. The train was some distance from the river 
when overtaken by us. and was moving along leisurely, not 
thinking for once that the "Yankees'' were so close by. and 
the first warning of our approach was the yell and the keen 
crack of our carbines. 

The brave wagon-guard refused to surrender the 
wagons without resistance, and in the brisk skirmish that 
ensued several were killed and wounded and the remainder 
captured. The First Tennessee had two men wounded. Pri- 
vate Thos. D. Brogden. of Company F, was severely 
wounded in the right shoulder and left thigh, making him a 
V cripple for life. The wagons were nearly all branded 

"U. S.," and were captured only a few months before from 
the Union army near Bean's Station, the whole bearing the 
marks of the axe made by the teamsters trying to cut them 
down before capture. They were well filled with all kinds 
of supplies. The teamsters v.ere ordered to turn the wagons 
around and for the time being drive for "Uncle Sam." 

Longstreet. in reporting the matter, says : "Twenty- 
eight of our wagons were captured on the south side of 
French Broad on the 22nd. They were foraging and had 
neglected to get the usual guard. We lost our teams with 
our wagons and got none to replace them." 



TKNNKSSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 137 

On our way back we could hear the distant boom of 
cannon in the direction of New Market and Strawberry 
Plains, and learned from our scouts that the Union forces 
were falling back to Knoxville, pursued by Longstrect. 

We camped for the night a short distance from Fair 
Garden, and early the next morning moved back to our old 
camp at Atchlcy's mill, where we were joined in a few days 
by the remainder of our division and Wolford's cavalry, 
Army of the Ohio, who came up from Knoxville by way of 
Trundell's Cross Roads. 

McCook, in his report, says : "The First Tennessee 
and Colonel Palmer's force are out after a forage train, and 
I think will get them, unless the guard is too strong." A 
detachment of the First Tennessee captured on this trip 
Captain Bennett, commissary on General Benning's staff. 
Hood's division, and seven men who were out looking for 
forage. 



138 HISTORY or FIRST REGIMENT 



V 



CHAPTER X. 

BATTLE OF FAIR CARDl-X — CAPTURE OF COLONEL BROW X LOW 
— HE r.Rir.ES THE ClAKn AXn makes HIS ESCAPE — THE 
REGIMENT RETURNS TO THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND 
— CAMP LIFE AT CLEVELAND — WHEELER'S ATTEMPT TO 
CAPTURE THE REGIMENT. 

Soon after the Union artny fell back from Dandridge to 
Knoxville. Longstreet immediately sent his cavalry, under 
General ]\lartin. to the east side of French Broad River, in 
order that he might operate more freely on the right wing of 
the Union army, which was held at that time by a small 
force of cavalry under Brownlow and Palmer, numbering 
about one thousand men and composed of the following 
regiments : First Tennessee, Fifteenth Pennsylvania and 
Tenth Ohio. 

This small brigade had been operating in this moun- 
tainous country for some time, watching a force tiiat was 
reported to be approaching from North Carolina. Martin 
marched his amiy across the country from Dandridge and 
went into camp near Fair Garden. This unexpected move- 
ment of Long-street's cavalry made it necessary to push for- 
ward the divisions of McCook and \\'olford from Knoxville 
to our support. Late in the afternoon of the 26th, the enemy 
under ^lartin was discovered advancing toward Sevierville, 
on the Fair Garden road. 

?vIcCook"s division was at once ordered forward to meet 
this force. The division moved through Sevierville. and when 
four miles beyond. Campbell's brigade struck the enemy well 
posted behind the east fork of Pigeon River. Campbell 
formed his brigade in line of battle to the right of the road, 
and in a few minutes Martin opened lire on him with his 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVAERY. 139 

artillery, which was posted on a hio;h ranj^c of hills north of 
Pigeon River. The second shell that was fired by this bat- 
tery exploded directly over the colors of the First Tennessee, 
doing no damage except wounding one horse. 

One section of Lilly's battery was sent to the front, and 
soon the natives heard for the first time the reverberating 
sound of the loud-mouthed monsters, while the swift messen- 
gers of death went flying through the air high above our 
heads into the ranks of the enemy beyond the river. Dark- 
ness soon ended this artillery duel. The First Tennessee was 
moved a short distance to the left, in the bend of the river, 
where it lay in line of battle during the night, which was ex- 
ceedingly cold. 

There seemed to be great activity in the enemy's camp 
during the night, indicating to us that reinforcements must 
be arriving. There was sharp firing on the picket-line dur- 
ing the night. 

On the morning of the 27th there was a heavy fog 
along the river, making it impossible to see but a short dis- 
tance, but as soon as the fog lifted, lively skirmishing began 
all along the line. Campbell's brigade was ordered forward 
and at the crossing at Dr. Hodsden's, the enemy was en- 
countered in force, and after a sharp skirmish with some 
Texas troo]:)s, we drove them back and crossed the river, 
capturing several prisoners on the opposite side. Among 
them was a major, with long, black hair, who was badly 
woimded. 

The enemy fell back about one mile and took up a new 
position at McNutt's bridge, a covered structure over the 
Little East Fork of Pigeon River, where we found them well 
posted behind a rail barricade along the north bank. Lilly's 
battery was sent to the front and after shelling them vigor- 
ously they fell back into the woods. 

Our whole line was ordered forward to the river, and 
a detachment of the Second Michigan was dismounted and 
ordered to cross a short distance above the bridge for the 
purpose of turning their left flank. The brave Michigan 



V 



140 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

boys were overpowered, and after a sharp engagement were 
compelled to fall back, pursued by the enemy. On account 
of their superior number we were unable to hold them in 
check at the bridge, and after a gallant resistance our whole 
line was forced back a short distance. 

General McCook, finding the enemy's position too strong 
to be carried, sent the Second Brigade, under LaGrange, 
on a road to his left that intersected the Fair Garden road 
about two miles from the latter place. Here General Mar- 
tin had selected a strong position in the timber and was 
holding a part of his force in reserve. LaGrange soon en- 
countered the enemy under Morgan and drove them back 
along the road almost to the intersection of the two roads, 
and now waited for Campbell's brigade to come up on the 
main Fair Garden road. 

The enemy still occupied the bank of the river, with a 
strong line of skirmishers, but the main force had taken 
up a new position in the timber, about a half mile from the 
stream. Campbell's brigade was now ordered to advance 
and carry the bridge, which it did in gallant style, driving 
the enemy back from every position they attempted to hold. 
We continued to drive them back along the road leading 
to Fair Garden, and as we neared the junction of the two 
roads the column we were pursuing began to show signs 
of a panic. 

Both brigades had driven Martin's troops back on their 
position at the intersection of the two roads, where they 
made a bold and determined stand, opening on us a heavy 
artillery and musketry fire. A portion of the Second Brigade 
was dismounted and advanced across an open field, driving 
back the enemy's right. The dismounted men now wheeled 
to the left and opened a brisk flank fire upon the force that 
was confronting Campbell's brigade. 

The enemy, being hard pressed all along their line, be- 
gan to show signs of wavering, when Colonel LaGrange led 
a portion of the Second and Fourth Indiana Cavalry in a 
gallant saber charge, routing ]\Iorgan's division, capturing 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 141 

his battle-flag and a part of his escort, two pieces of artillery 
and one hundred and twenty-five prisoners. While the Sec- 
ond Brigade was engaged in this "cutting and slashing" 
business, Campbell's brigade was driving a superior force on 
a parallel road just to the right of the Second Brigade, and 
as the two brigades'nvere approaching the junction of the two 
roads, the Second, being a little in advance, were in danger 
from the fire of the First Brigade. 

Campbell's brigade pushed Martin's troops back rapidly 
on the Fair Garden road, capturing scores of prisoners and 
throwing them into great confusion. Martin's troops being 
thoroughly routed, now fled m all directions, the road being 
lined with guns, accoutrements and hats. Colonel Brown- 
low was ordered to charge down the road with his regiment 
after the fleeing enemy, which he did with his usual gal- 
lantry, but in doing so he charged by two regiments, said 
to be the Eighth and Eleventh Texas, who were approaching 
the same road he was on, but to his left and rear. 

They came on the gallop and were either reinforce- 
ments or some of Martin's scattered troops. It was a critical 
moment, as the regiment was some distance beyond the sup- 
port of the brigade, and it was "fight or be captured." But 
Brownlow was equal to the emergency. He hurriedly 
formed his men in line to the right of the road, and as the 
enemy passed by he ordered the regiment to give them a 
volley, which emptied several saddles. Colonel Brownlow 
now led his regiment in a charge against this force, throw- 
ing it into rapid retreat. 

It was now growing dark, but the pursuit was continued 
until the First Tennessee was some distance in advance of 
the brigade, and at the same time was without support and 
within the enemy's lines. Colonel Brownlow, deeming it 
unwise to pursue further, halted his troops and started to re- 
turn to his command, and in the darkness became separated 
from his men and was captured by some Texas troops ; but 
by a little strategy and a gold watch, he succeeded in making 
his escape during the night and early the next morning re- 
turned to camp. 



142 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIM«;NT 

There was a feeling of sorrow and uneasiness in camp 
during- the night, as we were unable to determine whether he 
was slain on the field or a prisoner. But imagine our sur- 
prise on the following morning when Brownlow came into 
camp safe and sound. The boys crowded around him and 
after congratulations on his fortunate. escape, cheer after 
cheer went up from the regiment, for he was the idol of his 
men and a general favorite of the entire brigade. If the 
troops making the capture had known who their prisoner 
was it would have taken several gold watches to win them 
over; in fact, no bribe or strategy would have saved him, 
but, supposing the "doughty" colonel was only a poor pri- 
vate who wanted to see his family, let him go. 

Campbell's brigade captured about one hundred and 
fifty prisoners during the day. The loss in the First Ten- 
nessee during the day was remarkably light. Company C 
lost two men wounded at McNutt's bridge, as follows: Cor- 
poral John A. Potter, wounded in right arm, and Private 
James Baysinger, mortally wounded and died in hospital at 
Knoxville, Te^nn., February i6. At Fair Garden, Private 
Andrew Edens, Company E, was severely wounded, and 
Colonel Brownlow captured. McCook's division were the 
only troops engaged at JMcNutt's bridge and Fair Garden, 
and for the length of the engagement and the loss inflicted 
the casualties were exceedingly light, being twenty-eight 
killed and wounded. 

Our division mourned the loss of the brave and gallant 
soldier, Lieutenant-Colonel John P. Leslie, Fourth Indiana 
Cavalry, Second Brigade, who fell at the head of his regi- 
ment in the moment of victory, leading a saber charge. His 
loss was keenly felt not only in his own regiment, but in all 
the command. The regimental flag of the Thirty-first Indi- 
ana X'olunteers, a silk American flag and a battery guidon 
in possession of the enemy, were captured. General Morgan 
narrowly escaped capture himself. 

General Martin left a large number of dead and 
wounded on the field and his loss was estimated at three hun- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 143 

dred and fifty. While the battle of Fair Garden is not classed 
as one of the leading cavalry engagements as to loss, yet in 
many respects it was a severe blow, and resulted in serious 
loss to Longstreet's cavalry and artillery and the discomfiture 
of his men. We had been engaged in a running fight during 
the day of seven miles, beginning at Hodsden's, on the East 
Fork of Pigeon River, and ending at Fair Garden. 

General Longstreet makes the following report of the 
battle : 

MoRRiSTowN, Jan. 29, 1864. 
General S. Cooper, Adjutant-General: 

General Martin had a severe cavalry fight on the 27th. He was 
driven back four miles with the loss of 200 killed, wounded and miss- 
ing, and two pieces of artillery. The enemy's cavalry has been greatly 
increased by cavalry from Chattanooga. Most of the cavalry from 
that place is now here. The men, about half that should be in our 
regiments, are, 1 understand, in the camps about Dalton. I hope they 
may be sent here or these sent there. We can do but little while this 
superior cavalry force is here to operate on our flanks and rear. Do 
send me a chief of cavalry. 

J. Longstreet, 

Lieutenant General. 

General Sturgis makes the following report : 

Headquarters Cavalry Corps, 
Dickey's, Jan'y 27th, 1864 — 6 p. m. 
General : After driving the whole cavalry force of the enemy 
steadily all day long, our troops went in about 4 o'clock with the 
saber and a yell and routed them, horse, foot and dragoon, capturing 
over 100 prisoners and two pieces of artillery — 3-inch steel guns. Our 
troops are very much worn down with continuous fighting and little 
to eat, but they are a band of as patient and brave soldiers as I have 
ever seen thus far. Some fifty or sixty of the enemy were killed and 
wounded in this charge alone. In the whole day's fighting their loss 
must be very large. As Walford and Garrard were brought from a 
long distance, they fell in as a reserve, so that this glorious day's 
work was performed alone by the gallant men of LaGrange's and 
Campbell's brigades of McCook's divison. 

Respectfully yours, etc., 

S. D. Sturgis, 
Brigadier General Commanding. 

It will be seen from the above letter that Longstreet was 



V 



144 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

of the impression that most all the cavalry from the Army 
of the Cumberland was then confronting him. The only 
cavalry from that army were the First and Second Brigades, 
The Seventh Kentucky Cavalry of the Third Brigade and 
Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery, all of the First Division, 
and the Fifteenth Pennsylvania and Tenth Ohio Cavalry, two 
small regiments of the Third Brigade, Second Division — in 
all, nine regiments and one battery. 

After the battle of Fair Garden, all the Union troops 
fell back to Sevierville. On the 29th, the cavalry was or- 
dered to Maryville, sixteen miles south of Knoxville, and 
went into camp a short distance east of town. Maryville is 
well and favorably known throughout the land as an edu- 
cational center. Here it was that Rev. Isaac Anderson, 
a Presbyterian minister and pioneer in educational work, es- 
tablished a college in 1819 that has since become famous as 
an institution of learning. Several members of the First 
Tennessee were forced to leave school before completing 
their education to avoid conscription into the Confederate 
army. 

On the first day of February, the First Tennessee and 
Fourth Indiana, Second Brigade, all under the command of 
Colonel Brownlow, First Tennessee, were ordered to make 
a reconnoissance toward Sevierville. Reveille called us at 
2 a. m., and with the stars for a light, we arose from our 
warm beds and soon hundreds of blazing camp-fires were 
seen all over the camp, as the men went about the prepara- 
tion of this early meal. Coflfee-pots and tin-cups with water 
and cofifee in them were suspended over the fires, and when 
the boiling point was reached the rich aroma whetted our 
appetites, while some of the boys, skilled in the business, 
manipulated the flapjack pans. 

Breakfast over, we mounted and marched along the 
main Sevierville road to Little River, where we were joined 
by two regiments of infantry and one section of artillery as a 
support. We forded Little River at McCamey's Ford and 
marched to Trundle's Cross Roads, sixteen miles from Mary- 




I'KIVA'IK ALLKN S. 'JA'li:, COMI-ANV H 



K 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 145 

ville, where we bivouacked for the night. At 5 :30 the next 
morning we left camp and went as far as Boyd's Creek, and 
within eight miles of Sevierville, where we learned that the 
enemy were in force behind Pigeon River. The object of 
the reconnoissance having been accomplished, Colonel 
Brownlow returned to camp at Maryville. 

For the next eight or ten days our camp was very quiet, 
with nothing but the usual routine camp duty to perform, 
affording the boys a splendid opportunity to wash their 
clothing, rest and get ready for the next move. The last 
duty performed by the regiment in the Army of the Ohio 
was the reconnoissance toward Sevierville, as we were now 
under orders to return in a few days to the Army of the 
Cumberland. The First Tennessee had spent nearly three 
months in this East Tennessee campaign, during the cold- 
est and most disagreeable weather the regiment had ever 
experienced. 

Our ranks had been invaded by disease, while shot and 
shell and the much-dreaded "minie," with its dull thud, had 
laid low some of our best and bravest men. But the First 
Tennessee responded to duty with a will, and it mattered 
but little whether it was on the scout, or the march, or 
around a kettle of well-cooked beans or a pot of steaming 
coffee, it was always present. The men composing the regi- 
ment had many peculiarities. If the commissary had no 
hard-tack or flour for the men, they would do without either ; 
if they had no beef, they were content with fat pork ; if no 
rice, they would put up with beans ; if no coffee, they were 
satisfied with water; if none of the articles mentioned were 
to be had, they were willing to satisfy the "craving stom- 
ach" with parched corn. 

But with all the trials and hardships incident to a 
soldier's life, the men composing the First Termess.ee can 
point with pride to duty well performed, under the most try- 
ing and adverse circumstances, receiving from their com- 
manders the highest admiration for obedience and unmur- 
muring endurance on the march or the field of battle. 



146 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

When it became known that the First Tennessee was to 
return to the Army of the Cumberland, all over our camp 
men could be seen taking from their saddle-bags their small 
stock of stationery, and, while sitting around a smoky camp- 
fire or beside a sturdy oak, were engaged in writing a hasty 
letter to the dear ones at home, and to some it was the last. 

On the loth day of February. McCook's division, to 
which the First Tennessee belonged, broke camp at Mary- 
ville and started by slow and easy march for Cleveland. The 
route we marched over presented to the observing cav- 
alrymen one of rare beauty and grandeur. Old "Mother 
Earth" was still wearing her winter dress, while the cold, 
biting frost had robbed the trees of their beauty, giving us 
an vmobstructed view of the grand old mountains, while on 
every hand the clear, rippling streams, that were rushing 
madly on to form and help to make up the mighty ocean, 
furnished us with plenty to drink. 

We marched through IMadisonville and crossed Little 
Tennessee River at Nile's Ferry, camping for a few days 
on Tellico River and near the celebrated Tellico Plains. A 
detachment of the Second Brigade was sent from this place 
on a scout to Cherokee county. North Carolina, where it 
succeeded in capturing thirty-eight prisoners, mostly Indians, 
and twenty-five horses and mules. This scout was accom- 
plished without any loss on our side. The Indians were very 
sullen and refused to talk much. Among them was a min- 
ister who preached on Sunday to a large audience of "Yan- 
kees." 

Forage being scarce at this place, we moved a few miles 
up the Little Tennessee River ajid went into camp near the 
foot of Smoky Mountain, where we found only a small 
amount of grain for our horses. While at this place a light 
snow fell, whitening up the earth and the mountain, adding 
grandeur to the scenery. February i8 found us again on the 
move. We marched through Athens and went into camp 
near Chestooa camp-ground, said to be one of the oldest 
churches and camp-grounds in all that country, the church 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 147 

deriving its name from a small, sluggish stream of the same 
name near by. 

At this camp pay-rolls were made out, but we were not 
paid until Cleveland was reached. About the last of the 
month the whole division was moved to Calhoun, on the 
Hiwassee River, where it went into camp some four miles 
below. Major Thornburgh, who was painfully wounded at 
Dandridge, December 24, 1863, rejoined the regiment at this 
place and was warmly received by the boys. On the nth 
day of March, we left camp and marched back to Calhoun, 
crossed Hiwassee River on a pontoon bridge, and marched 
a few miles beyond Charleston, where we camped for the 
night. 

The next morning, McCook received orders from Gen- 
eral Elliott to move his division to Cleveland, which place 
he reached late in the afternoon and camped for a few days 
west of town on the Cotton Port road. Good camping- 
grounds were selected and tents put up with great care, 
adding greatly to the appearance and beauty of the camp. 
This was the first regular cam.p that we had laid out during 
the East Tennessee campaign, and was the first time that our 
tents had been stretched in three months, and we again 
enjoyed the almost forgotten luxury of sleeping in tents. 

We now began to "play" soldier again. Company and 
battalion drills and dress-parades had been unknown to us 
during this mid-winter campaign, and while waiting for 
orders our time was occupied in reviewing the early lessons 
of the regiment. The First Tennessee was never accused of 
being a "band-box regiment," but its staying qualities were 
equal to its "style." After a short stay in this camp, the 
First Tennessee was moved about one mile east of town on 
the Spring Place road. Our new camp was near a large and 
famous spring, known about Cleveland as "Rhat's Spring," 
from which many a weary traveler had slaked his thirst in 
days gone by at this free, sparkling fountain. 

The First Tennessee remained in this camp until the 
general advance of the army in May. The duty imposed 



148 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

upon the troops was light and consisted mainly in scouting 
and picketing. Our worthy and distinguished chaplain, the 
Rev. John P. Holtsinger, preached to us regularly every 
Sunday morning, and here the writer will venture the asser- 
tion that no regiment in the service had a higher regard or 
was more devoted to their chaplain than the First Tennessee. 
It never fell to the lot of the First Tennessee to be out 
of sight of the enemy long at a time, and therefore it ac- 
quired great fame as a fighting regiment. The dashing Jim 
Brownlow, than whom there was none braver, led his men 
constantly at the front, and they were always in at the finish. 
We were now enjoying the real sunny side of a soldier's 
life, and what a change it was from the active campaign 
just closed. 

"No rumor of the foe's advance 

Now swells upon the wind. 
No troubled thought at midnight haunts 

Of loved ones left behind ; 
No vision of the morrow's strife 

The warrior's dream alarms, 
No braying horn oi screaming fife 

At dawn shall call to arms." 

The greater part of the Confederate army, under the 
command of General Joseph E. Johnson, was encamped near 
Dalton, Georgia, about thirty miles from our camp, conse- 
quentlv the outposts of the Union army were kept some dis- 
V tance out. The enemy's cavalry under Wheeler lay en- 

camped near Spring Place, and occasionally their scouting 
parties would attack our outposts, and especially on the 
Spring Place road, and as this was considered to be the most 
important road leading to the enemy's camp, it was kept 
well picketed. Owing to the long distance of this outpost 
from camp, the men detailed for picket duty on this road 
would remain out from two to three days before being 
relieved. 

A detachment of the First Tennessee had been on picket 
on this road, but was relieved bv a detail from the First Wis- 



TENNESSEE VOH:NTEER CAVALRY. 149 

consin, Second Brig-ade. General Wheeler, the able and 
dashing leader of Johnson's cavalry, learned that Jim 
Brownlow's rep^iment was on picket on this road, and de- 
termined to surprise and capture it. He moved with his 
accustomed boldness and succeeded in surrounding and cap- 
turing the most of the men, and when asked why he brought 
so large a force to capture a picket-post, remarked that he 
understood that Jim Brownlow's regiment was on picket 
and that it could not be captured with a handful of men, as 
he had met the regiment often and knew of its splendid 
staying qualities. 

During our stay at Cleveland and before starting upon 
the Georgia campaign, some changes were made in the First 
Brigade. The Ninth Pennsylvania, which had been in the 
brigade ever since its organization at Triune, was trans- 
ferred to the Third Division, and their place filled by the 
Eighth Jowa Cavalry, a new regiment commanded by Col- 
onel J. B. Dorr. We regretted very much to part with this 
gallant regiment, for we were close friends, and besides, 
the kindest feeling existed between the three regiments com- 
posing the brigade. It made no difference which regiment 
was in the advance or which one covered the retreat, each 
could be relied on when in a "tight place." The Iowa boys 
— nicknamed "Persimmon Knockers" — proved themselves to 
be good soldiers, and made a good record. 



ISO HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XL 

THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM CLEVELAND TO PINE MOL^N- 
TAIN — DUG GAP AND TTLTON — ACROSS THE COOSAWATTEE 
AND ETOWAH — SOLDIERING UNDER DIFFICULTIES — BURNT 
HICKORY — BROWNLOW'S HILL. 

The spring- of 1864 found the Union commanders east 
and west making extensive preparations for a general ad- 
vance. Lieiitenant-General Grant, at the head of a large 
and well-equipped army, was ready to move on Richmond, 
the proud city and capital of the Confederacy. Blooming 
j\Iay found General A\'. T. Sherman at the head of a veteran 
army the equal of Wellington's, and ready to move when the 
Lieutenant-General issued the order. Lee. with the Army of 
Northern ^'irginia. was protecting Richmond, while Johnson, 
at the head of a large and well-equipped force, was in front 
of Dalton. ready to dispute the advance of Sherman's aniiy. 

These two armies were the largest that ever had assem- 
bled east or west, but were too far apart for co-operation, 
yet they could be helpful by a simultaneous movement. Gen- 
^ eral Shemian was at the head of a large army, composed of 

well-seasoned veterans, and commanded by such able and 
distinguished fighters as Thomas, ]McPherson and Schofield. 
who commanded respectively the Armies of the Cumber- 
land, Tennessee and Ohio. Grant was to strike at the Jicaci 
and Sherman at the heart of the Confederacy. 

Sherman entered the campaign with an effective force 
of nearly one hundred thousand men and two hundred and 
fifty-four giuis. Of these, the Army of the Cumberland had 
sixty thousand men and one hundred and thirty guns ; the 
Army of the Tennessee, twenty-five thousand men and 
ninety-six gams, and the Army of the Ohio, fourteen thou- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 151 

sand men and twenty-eight guns. General J. E. Johnson, the 
Confederate commander, who was reckoned by miUtary men 
as ahnost the equal of Lee, was at the head of an army num- 
bering, at the opening of the campaign, about fifty-three 
thousand men, but before the battle of Resaca was fought, 
remforcements increased it to seventy-one thousand, two 
hundred and thirty-five men and one hundred and twenty 
cannon. 

General Sherman had issued an order for a general 
advance of his army the first of May, consequently there was 
a great hurry and bustle in camp, getting ready for the ap- 
proaching campaign. The sound of the blacksmith's hammer 
was heard throughout camp, shoeing horses, repairing 
wagons and ambulances for the march "through Georgia." 

"Bring the good old bugle, boys, we'll sing another song, 
Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along, 
Sing it as we used to sing it, fifty thousand strong, 
While we were marching through Georgia." 

Winter had become a thing of the past, the biting winds 
of March had also departed, and now May, with its warm 
sunshine, had aroused to action the dormant germs of the 
vegetable kingdom. All the beauties of springtime were 
ushered in. Beautiful flowers unfolded their petals to our 
view ; fragrant odors freighted the breezes, while upon every 
hand the birds were apparently trying to see which could 
sing their sweetest songs ; the bees were humming and buz- 
zing among the trees and clover for honey. As the army 
marched along, unmindful of the surroundings, nature was 
quietly getting in her work, covering old "Mother Earth" 
again with a rich, green carpet, and seemed to rebuke man, 
who was engaged in a business so much at variance with the 
beautiful world. 

Sherman's army was encamped at Cleveland and Chatta- 
nooga, and one of the most difficult problems to be solved was 
that of supplies. This large army was to be supplied bv a 
single line of road from Nashville to Chattanooga, and thence 
to Atlanta. This was a knotty problem, and its solution 



V 



152 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

turned upon the capacity of this single track to do the work. 
Chattanooga again, as in 1863, became a place of great im- 
portance, and scenes of great activity were going on night 
and day. 

Large store-houses were built in which quartermaster 
and commissary supplies were stored. In addition to the 
supplies for the army this single line of road must also trans- 
port artillery and cavalry horses, mules, cattle and ammu- 
nition. Day and night the long, trembling trains were seen 
rolling into Chattanooga with their precious cargoes. Long- 
street's army had left East Tennessee and joined Lee in \'ir- 
ginia, while Martin, with his cavalry, was sent to Johnson. 
This left the L'nion troops that had wintered in East Ten- 
nessee free to join either Grant or Sherman. 

The Ninth Corps was sent east, and IMcCook's cavalry 
returned to the Army of the Cumberland, followed soon after 
by Schofield's Twenty-third Corps. The order to march was 
issued and soon myriads of tents disappeared like snow be- 
fore the sun. Knapsacks were packed, horses caparisoned, 
letters answered, and on the third day of ]^Iay the army be- 
gan to move. The First Tennessee broke camp at Cleveland 
and moved with the remainder of the division along the Dal- 
ton road. The march was continued to Red Clay, where it 
bivouacked for the night. This move placed ]\IcCook's di- 
vision in advance and to the left of Stanley and Schofield. 

Early on the morning of the 4th, we advanced toward 
Catoosa Springs, and during the day had several skirmishes. 
On the 7th, we moved to A'arnell's Station. At this place 
the First Brigade encountered Wheeler's cavalrv. and livelv 
skirmishing was kept up during the day. Late in the after- 
noon the enemy advanced in such numbers that LaGrange's 
brigade was sent to our support. 

The 8th was spent in maneuvering and skirmishing. On 
the 9th, the Second Brigade was ordered to advance on the 
Dalton road to develop the position and strength of the 
enemy. A short distance from X'arnell's Station, LaGrange 
struck the advance of the enemv and drove it back on their 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 153 

main line. Here a brisk eng^agement ensued, in which the 
Second Bri^^ade was driven back with serious loss, the bri- 
gade losing one hundred and thirty-nine killed, wounded and 
missing. Among the latter was Colonel LaGrange, First 
Wisconsin, commanding Second Brigade, who was badly 
wounded and captured. 

General McCook, in his report of the Georgia campaign, 
says : "During these days the services called from and ren- 
dered by the division were of the most arduous kind. Potato 
Hill, a strong natural position, was assaulted and the first line 
of the enemy's breast-works taken by the First Tennessee 
regiment, under Colonel Brownlow." ''■' * ''' 

On the nth, the whole division moved through Tunnell 
Hill to Dug Gap, an important position on the left of the 
Union army, relieving General Geary's division, Twentieth 
Corps. On the morning of the 13th, we crossed Rocky Face 
Ridge, at Dug Gap, and jomed Howard's Fourth Corps, 
and during the afternoon engaged the enemy near Tilton. 

The next day we moved forward in the direction of 
Resaca, covering the advance of the Fourth Corps, and dur- 
ing the early part of the day met and drove back the enemy's 
outposts upon his main force. During the operations around 
Resaca a part of the division was dismounted and placed in 
the rifle-pits, while the remainder held the left of Hooker's 
line. After the battle of Resaca, the enemy retreated south 
through Calhoun to Adairsville. At this place Johnson ex- 
pected to make a stand and offer battle, but finding his army 
hard pressed and his Hanks threatened, continued to fall back 
to Cassville. 

We were still on the left flank of the army and on the 
1 6th crossed Connasauga River and camped for the night 
near Field's Mill, on the Coosawattee. On the 17th, we 
took the advance again and moved toward Cassville, leaving 
Calhoun and Adairsville to our right. On the 19th, Mc- 
Cook's division was pushed rapidly forward toward Cass- 
ville, and a short distance north of town the enemy's cav- 
alry and a force of infantry were encountered, and after a 



154 HISTORY OF I-IUST REOIMKNT 

brisk oiic;ap;oniont thcv were driven back "poll-nioU" into 
town, k^sinq- tbirty-oij^bt by capture. 

The First TeriUessee Cavaby was in tbe advance, atid 
near sundown drove Wlieek^r's advance back upon tbe in- 
fantry, wbo were bebind ritle-pits. Tbe reqinient captured 
several prisoners. Lilly's battery was sent to tbe front and 
sbelled tbe enemy viijorously until dark. Tbe regiment bad 
two men wounded and several borses sbot. 

Wo moved to King'ston on ibe joib. wbero we remained 
for a tew days, resting and waiting for tbe railroad to be 
repaired and tbe accumulation of supplies at Resaca. In 
our front were tbe rougb hills and gorges around Allatoona, 
with but few roads and these very inditTerent, penetrating 
tbe densely W(.x->ded country. On tbe 23rd. the First Ten- 
nessee, with tbe remainder of tbe division, crossed the Eto- 
wah River at Island Ford, and, taking tbe advance of tbe 
army, moved through Eubarlee to Stilesborongb. 

At this place we met and defeated Morgan's and Ross's 
brigades. The next two days we continued to advance, skir- 
mishing almost continuously with tbe rear of Johnson's 
army, and during tbe time crossed Raccoon and Pumpkin 
\ ine Creeks in advance of the Army of the Cumberland. 

On tbe JOth, we caught up with Wheeler's cavaby near 
Burnt Hickory, and after a sharp engagement be was driven 
back upon tbe intrencbmonts held by tlie infantry, with a 
loss of seventy-two prisoners. We captured a courier with 
a dispatch from Johnson to one of bis subordinate com- 
manders, in which be outlined his plan for tbe next move, 
which was of great value to Sherman. 

In this eng-agement tbe First Tennessee lost two men 
captureil. as follows : Sanuiel Carnes, Company C, and Cor- 
poral W'. D. A. Schrade, Company K. Samuel Carnes, after 
surviving all the horrors of ATulersonville. was exchanged, 
and on his reutrn was lost on tbe ill-fated Siiltana, April 27. 

Tbe heavy rains that liad fallen during the past few 
days bad almost put an end to tbe operations of the anuy, 



TENNICSSKK VOI.UNTKKU CAVAI.KV. 155 

for ill thai p.'irt of (^'or^i.-i turnpikes were uiiknowti. For 
the next two or three days the hooni of cannon could be 
heard in the (Hrection of I'icketl's Mill, New liope Church 
and I )allas, wlu-re the Union troops were hainnieriufj;' away 
at Johnson's intrenched lines. In this en^aj^'einent Howard's 
Fourth Corps suffered heavily, losinjj^ about fifteen hundred 
men killed, wounded and captured. 

Johnson was holdinjj;' Allaloona T\ass, a very strong;; 
positir)!! on the Western & Atlantic railroad, with his left 
exteiidinj^' to New Mope Church and l)allas. krom now 
until the 4th of June there was almost continuous hj^htinj.^, 
nii^^ht and <lay. The battle-lines were some six or ei<4lit 
miles loni';, and the whole country was almost a battle-field, 
with trenches runniiiL;' in all directions, 'i'liis was jjossibly 
the stron<;est and best fortified position on the whole cam- 
paif^n. and around these hills and iiiounlains, whose crests 
were covered with hostile t^uns, Hanked with rille-pits, des- 
perate fij^-htiui;- was carried on for several days, amid drench- 
inf^ rains and tlumdi'r-storms. 

General McCook, in his leport of the Georgia cam])aij4n, 
says: "h'rom this time until the 3rd of Jiuie, the divi*;ion 
remained without iiifanlry sup])orl, without forage for its 
horses and but half rations for the men, holding- successfully 
a hilly, wooded country, utterly unlit for cavalry operations, 
subject to continued and ])e'rsistent attacks of all three arms 
of the service, both by night and day." 

( )n the 3rd, the army advanced, with McCook's divisi(^n 
on the left of Schofield's corps, and in this position moved 
forward and took possession of the Dallas and Acworth 
roads. We remained near this place, holdinp^ this part 
of our line, reconnoiterinp;' and ])icketing' heavily the coun- 
try some distance from our position. In the advance on 
Acworth we found the enemy in force- and ready for a 
fight. As we approached the town, the b'irst 'i'ennessee, 
being in the advance, found the enemy strongly posted on a 
high hill, and after considerable skirmi.shing. Colonel IJrown- 
low led his regiment in a charge, drove the enemy back and 
captured the hill. 



156 HISTORY OF FIRST RKGIMEXT 

This was the key to the position, and the Confederates, 
knowing its importance, made several attempts to recapture 
it. but were unsuccessful, and fell back, leaving the First 
Tennessee in possession of the hill. The skill and courage 
displayed by Colonel Brownlow in capturing and holding 
this important place and the equal determination of the 
enemy to retake it. made it a noted place, so much so that we 
called it "Brownlow's Hill." in honor of the gallant com- 
mander of the First Tennessee. After we had captured the 
hill, one section of Lilly's battery was sent forward and from 
its summit the enemy's lines were shelled for some time. 
Some of the Union commanders made mention of Brown- 
low's Hill in their reports. 

On the 5th. we moved to Acworth and drove the enemy 
out and occupied the place. The morning of the 6th found 
us again in the saddle and moviiig toward Big Shanty, 
where we met the Confederates and after a light skirmish 
they fell back and we occupied the place. 

The Union army threw up earthworks as it advanced, 
and no doubt they are still visible in many places, and serve 
as a'reminder of what real war is. All this time the national 
lines were being gradually extended to the left. This move- 
ment of Sherman's army alarmed Johnson, and on the night 
of the 4th he abandoned his whole line and fell back to a 
new line of defense, extending from Powder Springs on the 
left to Lost ^Mountain, and thence to Pine and Kennesaw 
]\Iountains on the right. 

Cold, drenching rains had been falling almost continu- 
ouslv since the first of the month, making the roads almost 
impassable. Streams were up and the earth was so well 
soaked with water that activity was impossible, while dry 
places commanded a premium, and, like all mountainous 
countries in wet weather, it was cold and chilly, consequently 
our bivouacs were very unpleasant. The L^nion soldiers 
from the East and West were about to be disappointed in 
their anticipations of the beautiful summer weather they had 
expected to find in the "Sunny South," the land of cotton. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 157 

While nature was profuse in its gifts of hills and moun- 
tains, her valleys seemed to have been overlooked in this part 
of Georgia. 

The bridge over the Etowah had been completed and 
the welcome sound of the locomotive was heard in our camp. 
When the Confederate soldiers heard the whistle, they would 
sing out, "There comes your hardtack, Yank ;" and when a 
whistle was heard from the Confederate side, the boys in 
blue would shout back the reply, "Here comes your corn- 
meal, Johnny." The opportunity for this bit of pleasantry 
did not occur very often to soldiers of either army, but was 
a pleasant and agreeable change from the "pop-pop" of the 
rifle on the skirmish line. 

Just here I want to digress and make reference to two 
incidents that have made the name of Big Shanty and Alla- 
toona memorable in the history of the civil war. In April, 
1862, while the Union army under General O. M. Mitchell 
lay in camp near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, J. J. Andrews, a 
citizen of Kentucky, then in the secret service of the govern- 
ment, planned an expedition for the purpose of destroying 
the bridges on the Western & Atlantic railroad, between 
Chattanooga and Atlanta. Twenty-one soldiers were de- 
tailed from the Second, Twenty-first and Thirty-third Ohio 
Volunteers to assist him in his enterprise. They were picked 
men, and among them were engineers, firemen and brake- 
men of experience, all of them known to be strong men, men 
of great courage and cool under the most trying and difficult 
circumstances. This ill-fated expedition has already passed 
into history as one of the most daring exploits of the war, 
and the writer will not attempt to go into all the details of 
the pursuit, capture and tragic death of the leader and seven 
men of the famous raid, familiarly known as "A Race for 
Life." They all wore citizens' dress and received their in- 
structions from their leader. They secretly left camp and 
moved to the appointed rendezvous, a thicket near Shelby- 
ville, where, in the darkness and amid the low, muttering 
sounds of thunder and the vivid flashes of lightning, these 
brave, determined men perfected their plans. 



158 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

After receiving their instructions they broke up into 
small squads and made their way on foot to Chattanooga, 
where they took the train and went as far south as Marietta. 
From this place they turned back and at Big Shanty, a station 
that had no telegraph office or an extra locomotive, and 
while the train-men and passengers were at breakfast, they 
detached the engine and three box-cars and started toward 
Chattanooga at full speed. These brave men had been 
drilled by Andrews until each one knew what to do and the 
part he was to perform. 

It was a thrilling moment. Andrews and his engineers 
mounted the engine, known on the A\'estern & Atlantic road 
as the "General," and the first three cars from the tender 
were cut loose. Those selected for brakemen climbed nimbly 
to the top and lay flat on the box-cars, while the remainder 
jumped inside and closed the doors. The brakes were loos- 
ened, the steam turned on and the captured train started on 
its perilous journey. There was a small detachment of Con- 
federate soldiers at the station, and when the alarm was 
given the soldiers and citizens fired on the now rapidly mov- 
ing train. 

The locomotive, with its precious freight, behaved splen- 
didly for a Avhile. but soon came to a "halt" for want of 
steam. During a five minutes' stop the fire was renewed and 
sufficient wood gathered to run some distance. Wliile ob- 
taining wood and waiting for the engine to steam up, the 
wires were cut. At Cass' Station, Andrews secured water 
for his engine and a time-schedule of the road, which was of 
great value to him. Nothing special occurred until Kingston 
was reached. Here a railroad leaves the main line and runs 
almost due west, following the meanders of the Etowah 
River, terminating at Rome. 

The track was blocked with cars and matters looked 
gloomy for Andrews and his devoted men, for all knew full 
well that they were being pursued. Much valuable time was 
lost in clearing the track at this and other points, to avoid a 
possible collision. It is true Andrews had the start of his 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 159 

pursuers, but was compelled to run slow to avoid accidents 
on a crowded track, yet he usually kept the track clear and 
was given the right of way by telling those he met that he 
was running a "special train" loaded with powder for Gen- 
eral Beauregard's army at Corinth. 

It will be necessary now to follow the movements of 
those left at Big Shanty. When the alarm was first given, 
the conductor, W. A. Fuller, and his engineer, Jefferson 
Cain, and one or two others, rushed excitedly from the 
breakfast table and started at once on foot up the track after 
the captured train. After a chase of two or three miles. 
Fuller and his party found the wires cut. The pursuers 
rushed madly on after the fugitive train and, fortunately 
for them, came upon a squad of trackmen with a hand-car. 

The almost exhausted men, now elated at this piece of 
good luck and with the aid of the brawny workmen, tugged 
away at the cranks, up and down grade alike, as well as 
around curves, making almost eight miles an hour. At one 
time, while running at this break-neck speed, the hand-car 
reached the point where a rail had been removed, and the 
car, with its living freight, was tumbled headlong into the 
ditch. This caused them to be more careful and run on a 
slower schedule. 

Near Etowah, Fuller saw the "Yonah," a splendid en- 
gine that was used to haul iron from the extensive furnaces 
of Major Cooper, which were several miles from the 
main line. This locomotive was standing on the main track, 
fired up and headed for Kingston. With this powerful loco- 
motive, Fuller almost made a mile a minute between this 
place and Kingston. When Fuller reached Kingston, he 
found the track badly blocked and Andrews with his cap- 
tured train only a few minutes the start. 

After working some little time in trying to clear the 
track, Fuller became impatient at the delay, abandoned the 
"Yonah" and took possession of the "Shorter," an engine 
used on the Rome branch. 

On leaving Kingston, Andrews found by consulting 



160 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

his time-table that there was still a freight atid a passenger 
train between Adairsville and Chattanooga. Before reach- 
ing Adairsville, Andrews halted long enough to cut the wires 
and obstruct the track. Andrews reached Adairsville a few 
minutes before the freight train. Here Andrews again 
worked his powder-train racket and moved out as fast as 
steam would move his train, while the men in the rear box- 
car dropped cross-ties upon the track and poured oil on the 
rails. 

Calhoun, the second station north, was reached, and here 
the long-expected passenger train was met, and as the fugi- 
tive train glided by, Andrews and his men breathed easier, 
as the track was now clear to Chattanooga. The next stop 
made by Andrews was near the bridge over the Oostenaula 
River. Here the pursued halted for the purpose of oiling 
their engine, removing a rail and burning the bridge, but 
before this task was accomplished they were startled by the 
whistle of Fuller's engine. 

Andrews' only hope of escape was to either burn a 
bridge or wreck the train of his pursuers. So far not a 
bridge had been burned and but little damage had been done 
to the track. The rear car of Andrews' train was dropped 
for the purpose of wrecking Fuller's engine, but he, being an 
old railroader, slowed up and, picking up the abandoned car, 
continued the pursuit. The exciting chase was continued 
mile after mile, crossing bridges and passing stations at a 
high rate of speed. 

At Dalton a branch road leaves the Western & Atlantic 
and runs to Cleveland, Tennessee, where it connects with the 
main line running from Knoxville to Chattanooga. An- 
drews took the left-hand road at Dalton and dashed madly 
on toward Chattanooga. xA.ndrews made another attempt to 
cut the wires and obstruct the track a short distance from 
Dalton, but before it was accomplished Fuller again came 
in sight and the flight was continued. Andrews now placed 
all his men on the engine and tender, set fire to his remain- 
ing car and left it in the center of a small covered bridge, 
hoping as a last resort that the structure might burn. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 161 

Fuller was so close that he was able to push the burning 
car across before doing any damage, sidetrack it and con- 
tinue to pursue the intrepid soldiers. The "General," though 
jaded and almost without fuel, was still urged on to its ut- 
most speed, hoping yet that it might be able to reach the 
Union line with its precious load. 

But it was hope against despair, and when near Grays- 
ville, Georgia, nineteen miles from Chattanooga, Andrews 
and his devoted men abandoned the noble old locomotive 
that had made such a long run without accident. The men 
now fled in all directions to avoid capture, but after enduring 
great hardships all were captured and placed in jail at Chat- 
tanooga. Strenuous efforts were now made by the Confed- 
erate authorities at Chattanooga to obtain from Andrews 
and his men the name of the leader and the principal partici- 
pants in this great military enterprise, but all efforts were in 
vain. 

Mistreatment and short rations were resorted to in hope 
of accomplishing what other methods had failed in, but all 
was naught — even Sims' dungeon had no effect. Later on, 
Andrews and seven of his men were hung in Atlanta. Eight 
of this daring band made their escape from the Atlanta 
prison the following October; the remaining members were 
exchanged in March, 1863. The remains of Andrews and 
his seven companions who were executed in Atlanta, now 
sleep in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, a beautiful 
monument marking their last resting-place. 

A part of these men were confined for a short time in 
the Knoxville jail. Some were tried in the old courthouse, 
that stood at that time on Main street, opposite the old 
Franklin House, the present site of the new courthouse. 
Hon. O. P. Temple, a lawyer and one of the great Union 
leaders of 1861 and one of Knoxville's prominent citizens, 
not only defended them in that dark and trying hour, but 
also befriended them the best he could under the circum- 
stances. Thus ended a great military enterprise. The dam- 
age done to the railroad was so light that it amounted to 



162 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

nothing. If Andrews could have destroyed all the bridges 
on the Western & Atlantic road as contemplated, the loss 
would have been a serious one and greatly embarrassed the 
Confederates at Chattanooga and elsewhere. 

Allatoona Pass, the natural fortress on the line of the 
Western & Atlantic road, had already fallen into our hands 
bv one of Sherman's riank movements. It was well fortified 
and was made a secondary base for storing supplies. This 
place shortly afterward became noted in "story and song." 
After the fall of Atlanta and when General Hood was mak- 
ing his famous movement north for Tennessee and in the 
rear of Sherman's army, French's division of Stewart's 
corps was ordered forward in advance of Hood's army to 
capture this stronghold. At this place Sherman had a verv 
large amount of rations stored for his army. This unex- 
pected movement of Hood caused Sherman to feel anxious 
about their safety, and was at a loss to know where he would 
strike first. 

Allatoona was garrisoned by eight hundred and ninety 
men under the command of Colonel Tourtellotte. Fourth 
INIinnesota Volunteers. Sherman signaled from Mning's 
Station, on the W. & A. road, to the station on Kennesaw 
Mountain, and from there the message was sent over the 
heads of the marching Confederates, ''through the sky." 
eighteen miles away to the commander at Allatoona for 
General Corse at Rome to be notified that he must hasten at 
once to Allatoona with reinforcements for the garrison at 
that place. Sherman hastened to the top of Kennesaw Moun- 
tain and during the day received a message from Corse, 
stating that he was badly wounded and hard pressed. Sher- 
man sent back the following answer: "Hold the fort, for I 
am coming." General Cox's division. Twenty-third Corps, 
was then rapidly approaching with reinforcements. From 
this message and the thrilling circumstances under which it 
was sent has come this great gospel hymn, now sung by all 
Christian people the world over : 



J 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 163 

"Ho! my comrades, see the signal, 
Waving in the sky, 
Reinforcements now appearing, 
Victory is nigh ! 
Chorus : Hold the fort, for I am coming, etc." 

This bloody engagement was fought October 5, and a 
victory won by the Union troops after a desperate struggle 
in which French's division sustained heavy loss. The day 
after the battle. General Corse wrote to General Sherman as 
follows: "I am short a cheek-bone and one ear, but am 
able to whip all hell yet," French sent a flag of truce, sum- 
moning the garrison to surrender, "to avoid the needless 
effusion of blood," to which Corse promptly replied that he 
was prepared for "the needless effusion of blood" whenever 
it would be agreeable to General French. 

In no instance during the war was the value of the 
Signal Corps more fully illustrated than in the battle of 
Allatoona, Ga. 



364 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XII. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN CONTINUED — OPERATIONS AROUND PINE 
MOUNTAIN — ADVANCE ON THE KENNESAW LINE — AS- 
SAULT AND FLANK MOVEMENT — DARING FEAT OF THE 
FIRST TENNESSEE AT THE CHATTAHOOCHEE — BROWN- 
LOW'S NAKED CHARGE. 

Johnson had spent considerable time on his works 
around Pine Mountain. In fact, we found a fort on almost 
every hill, each being invariably flanked with long lines of 
rifle-pits, with bristling bayonets visible above the head-logs. 
McCook moved his division from Acworth and drove back 
the enemy's advance and formed in line of battle near Pine 
Mountain. From this position we could plainly see the 
enemy in force on the top of the mountain. 

Johnson had not only fortified the top of Pine Moun- 
tain, but had built a strong line of works close to the foot, 
and from his lofty position he could overlook the camp of 
the Union army and watch all of its movements. Lively 
skirmishing was carried on between the two armies night 
and day, and the keen crack of the rifle and the still louder 
sound of the loud-mouthed cannon was heard all along the 
^ line as the skirmishers crept forward. 

Heavy rain-storms, accompanied with thunder — **heav- 
en's own artillery" — at times could hardly be distinguished 
from the terrible discharges of the artillery from both armies, 
which were constantly belching and bellowing at each other. 
The constant "pop, pop" of the carbines and muskets along 
the skirmish line sounded like wood-choppers, while the 
much-dreaded "Minie" would come whistling uncomfortably 
close to our heads. In this way hundreds of the boys in 
blue were killed and wounded. 

Johnson's lines extended from Lost Mountain to Kenne- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 165 

saw Mountain. Pine Mountain, or Pine Hill, as it is some- 
times called, is a little in front of the other mountains and 
to the right of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, but was 
connected with the main line of works by strong rifle-pits. 
Pine Mountain is conical in form and very steep, and is a 
great deal higher than Lost or Kennesaw Mountains. On 
its summit Johnson had a signal station in full working 
order, from which he kept his army fully posted about the 
movements of Sherman's army. There were numerous bat- 
teries on this eminence, protected by heavy earthworks, 
while down near the base a strong line of rifle-pits encircled 
the hill. 

On the 14th, Lieutenant-General Leonidas Polk, who 
commanded a corps in Johnson's army, was killed by a shell 
fired from Simonson's Fifth Indiana Battery, Fourth Corps. 
On the 15th, we were ordered to Lost Mountain and took 
up a position on the right of the Twenty-third Corps, which 
at that time was the extreme right of the Union army. The 
next day we advanced and drove the enemy from his position 
on the side of the mountain. In this engagement the First 
Tennessee sustained the following loss : 

Killed — Company B, Elcana Gipson. 

Wounded — Company M, Corporal James S. Moody. 

Captnred — Company D, Corporal George Beckner, John 
B. Morelock, Samuel Short, William Rush and Jack Brown ; 
Company E, Captain Charles H. Burdick ; Company G, W. 
B. Taylor. 

General McCook, in his report of the Atlanta campaign, 
makes mention of the engagement at Lost Mountain as fol- 
lows : 

Headquarters First Cavalry Division, 
Department of the Cumberland. 
In the Field near Lost Mountain, June 17th, 1864. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that I found the north side of 
Lost Mountain entirely inaccessible. They opened four guns from 
entrenchments on the top of the mountain on my skirmishers about 
3 p. m., which were silenced by a section of my battery. Two regi- 
ments, Fourth Indiana and First Tennessee, got inside of the first 



l(>b HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

line of barricade;: on west side of mountain, but could get no further. 
Late in the evening, part of their lines were occupied by their in- 
fantry: so reported by ^[a.ior Helveti. I will try to get in the rear 
of their line to-morrow morning, while General Stoneman demon- 
strates in their front. Their position is strong and their force much 
larger than mine, and I do not ftel sanguine of accomplishing any 
material result, but think that I can annoy them excessively and 
attract their attention to this end of the line. 

E. M. McCooK. 
Lieut. D. F. How. Brigadicr-Gcncral Cotinnandiiig. 

Acting Assistimt .•idjutatii-Gi'ticral. 

General Sherman continued to press the enemy at all 
points, and on the 17th Johnson abandoned his position at 
Lost Mountain and fell back to a strong' position behind 
Mud Creek, which extended along the base of Kennesaw and 
across the \\'estern .S: Atlantic road. In addition to this 
line of works at the base of Keiniesaw. a still stronger line 
was built on the top. extending the entire length. Several 
forts were also erected on the summit and artillery placed in 
them. From the larger Kennesaw. Johnson could, as he did 
at Fine Mountain, witness the movenients of the Union 
troops. 

This was a position of gTcat strength and was thor- 
oughly entrenched and made strong by a liberal use of the 
pick and shovel. Johnson's line of retreat was along the 
AWsteni & Atlantic road, and as Shemian advanced the road 
was kept repaired close on the heels of the victorious anny. 
At times the train would be run almost up to the skinnish 
line. In the operations around Kennesaw Mountain, Mc- 
Cook's division remained on the right wing of the Union 
anny. and on the iSth moved around the left flank of Har- 
dee's coq^s and drove his cavalry across Mud Creek and 
pursued it along the Dallas and Marietta wagon-road. 

In this venturesome move. McCook's division succeeded 
in getting within five miles of Marietta, capturing on the 
way two hospitals, w hich contained some forty or fifty sick 
and wounded officers and men. together with their attend- 
ants and nurses. Xotwiihsianding the continuous down- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 167 

pour of rain and tlic bad condition of the roads, Sherman 
kept his army moving, driving the enemy from one position 
to another. On the 19th, the Union army advanced and 
drove the enemy across Nose's Creek. 

During this time McCook's division went as far south 
as Powder Springs and Sweet Water Creek, driving in the 
enemv's pickets at the former place. These movements on 
Johnson's left alarmed him, and he sent Hood's corps from 
his right to strengthen this wing of his army. 

On the 22nd, Hood made a furious attack with his 
corps upon a jjortion of the Twentieth and Twenty-third 
Corps, but was repulsed with considerable loss. This was 
known as the battle of Kulp's Farm, and was fought on the 
right of the Union line, near Olley's Creek. 

General Sherman's skirmishers had worked their way 
close up to the foot of Kennesaw Mountain. This was a 
position of great strength, and was held by a veteran army. 
Sherman decided to make a direct assault on the 27th, and 
ordered Generals Thomas and AlcPherson to make prepara- 
tions for the attack. At the signal, the troops designated 
for this desperate work moved forward with that dash and 
courage that everywhere characterizes the American soldier, 
but no troops could stand the pelting storm of lead that was 
falling upon them. 

. The assault failed, the columns retired, broken and 
shattered, and the army mourned the loss of hundreds of its 
bravest and best men. Generals Harker and McCook being 
among the slain. During this assault in the center, Sher- 
man ordered his whole line forward and some sharp fighting 
was done at different places on the line. Sherman continued 
his demonstrations on the right to turn the position he had 
failed to carry by assault. 

On the 1st day of July, the divisions of McCook and 
Stoneman moved through Powder Springs and down toward 
Campbellton, as far as Sweet Water, skirmishing almost all 
the way, but finding no large bodies of the enemy. On the 
night of July 2, General Johnson withdrew his troops from 



168 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

Kennesaw Mountain and fell back to a strong;- line of works 
at Ruff's Station, his line extending: across the track of the 
Western & Atlantic road. This new line of works was laid 
out by a competent and skilfid engineer and was one of great 
strength. 

On the 4th. we moved to Marietta. From this place 
Ave were ortlered to the left, and bivouacked for the night on 
Soap Creek, near Chattahoochee River. Sherman pursued 
the retreating enemy on to his works at Ruff's Station, and 
here the great national holiday, the Fourth of July, was quite 
extensively as well as expensively celebrated. The exercises 
were of a very lively nature, and thousands took part amid 
the boom of cannon and bursting of shells. In this engage- 
ment. General E. F. Noyes, of Ohio, lost a leg. and General 
Sherman says, ''I came very near being shot myself." Thus 
in this Strange and singular manner was our great Inde- 
pendence Day celebrated by both armies. 

Two months had passed since the opening of the At- 
lanta campaign, and during that time Johnson had been 
forced to give up position after position, had been driven 
back from strongholds of his own selection until 'the spires 
of the "Gate City" were almost visible to the boys in blue. 
Johnson, finding his flanks again threatened, fell back from 
RufT's Station to the Chattahoochee River, where he en- 
trenched himself in the bend of the river. The recent heavy 
rains had so swollen the Chattahoochee that the few fords 
were impassable. Johnson ordered all the ferry-boats to 
be destroyed for miles up and down the river, to prevent 
them from being used by the Union army. 

AlcCook's division remained near the mouth of Soap 
Creek for several days, guarding the ferries on this part of 
the Union line. During the time, lively and continued skir- 
mishing was kept up along our whole front, at times resem- 
bling a battle. The pickets would conceal themselves in the 
bushes along the bank of the river and tire upon the Con- 
federates, who were in trenches or behind rocks and trees 
on the opposite shore. 




CAPTAIN OHAS. H. Ill' Kl) ICK, (!()»! I'A N ^ 10 
As lie apjieared aftur his ix-lease from prison, 1.S64 



>; 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 169 

It was while INIcCook's division was holding this part 
of the ITnion line that the First Tennessee, under Colonel 
Brownlow. performed one of the most daring and character- 
istic feats of the war. Colonel Brownlow was ordered to a 
point on the river supposed to be fordable, with orders to 
cross and develop the strength of the enemy on the opposite 
side. The place where he was ordered to cross was at Coch- 
ran's Ford, some little distance above the mouth of Soap 
Creek and near Powers' Ferry. \\'hether the order eman- 
ated from General Sherman, the corps, division or brigade 
commander was a subject that was "cussed and discussed" 
by the bo}'S. both during- and after the execution of the order, 
and the conclusion was reached that the "General" who is- 
sued it must have considered the men of the First Tennessee 
not onlv web-footed but thick-skinned fellows, capable of 
swimming a river which they or their horses could not ford, 
and of going into battle minus clothing or even wearing the 
proverbial undress uniform of a Georgia major — "a paper 
collar and a pair of spurs." 

They arrived at the designated point about 3 o'clock 
in the morning, while the rain was falling in torrents, and 
at daylight discovered a small force of the enemy on the 
other side, supposed to number twenty-five or thirty men, 
who had the advantage of being on higher ground and pro- 
tected by trees and rocks. As most of the regiment was 
deployed along the river and were busily engaged in sending 
their leaden compliments across, a few of the men charged 
into the stream without the slightest knowledge of its depth, 
the condition of its bed or the course of the ford. 

As they advanced under a brisk fire, the water getting 
deeper and deeper, the boulders on the bottom getting bigger, 
men and horses floundering and wallowing, the bullets ::ip, 
zipping and pattering in the water, it became evident that it 
was not a proper place for good cavalrymen to cross, and 
they came back out of that river tolerably fast — at least, 
much faster than thev went in. Though their spirits and 
ardor as well as their clothing and ammunition were some- 



170 EISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

what dampened in their futile attempt to cross, they had 
no idea it would be the last ot it. or that they would permit 
such an insignificant force to hold them longer in check. 

A consultation of the officers was held, and it was de- 
cided to find a native who knew the ford and to show its 
course. Meanwhile their carbines were kept busy, and as 
the day wore on. Colonel Dorr, axnmanding the brigade, 
made his appearance and seemed as mad as a hornet because 
the bo>"S were not in possession of the opposite side. Dis- 
satisfied with explanations made, he gave Brownlow per- 
em.ptor}- orders to m.ove at once on the enemy, and uttering 
an imnecessar}- threat that would be executed in case his 
order was not promptly obeyed. 

The acting brigade general rode ott. lea\'ing Rev. Wil- 
liam G. Brownlow's gallant son in a truly "fighting-mad'* 
frame of mind. These were the facts as they came to the 
men in the ranks. Soon thereafter, a few of the bo>"s were 
called to the rear — ^there were just nine men in all — ^and 
Colonel Brownlow said. '"Boys, we are going to cross that 
river. It is plain we can't ford it here, and as we have no 
pontoons, and can't ver>- well make a swimming charge, 
we'll find another way or break the breeching." 

Then, gi^■ing directions for the men at the ford to ke^ 
up an incessant fire so as to divert the attention of the enemy 
from the move about to be made, the colonel led his little 
squad through the brush to a point about a mile up the river, 
behind a bend, where, lashing a couple of logs together and 
placing their carbines, cartridge-boxes and belts thereon, 
they stripped to the skin and, lea\Tng their hats, boots and 
clothing behind, swam the river, pushing the raft in front 
oi them. 

The appearance or nine naked men with belts on. as they 
stood in line, was somewhat ludicrous, and while Brownlow 
was giWng. in undertones, the directions and plan of attack, 
it was difficult to repress the humorous remarks interjected 
by the boys, witty expressions, some of them, that would 
make the gravest soldier laugh, but would not be appreciated 



TENNESSEE VOLIJNTEER CAVALRY. 171 

by civilians unfamiliar with military terms. "I'll be durned 
if this ain't baring our breast? to the foe, for a fact," said 
one. "I reckon the rebs will climb them trees when they find 
out we're a lot of East Tennessee bear hunters," put in an- 
other. "Talk low, talk low !" said Brownlow, "for the suc- 
cess of this attack depends upon our quietness until we close 

in with the game, and then you may yell like ." Well, 

they started, with trailed carbines, into the cedar thicket, 
which concealed them from the enemy's view, leaving one 
man to guard the raft, and moved as rapidly as the nature of 
the ground would permit, but the funny expressions soon 
gave place to some that were in violation of the Third Com- 
mandment. 

They were all "tenderfoots," and as the sharp stones 
and dry twigs harrowed their soles, and their naked bodies 
w^ere scratched and punctured by the cedar brush and stung 
by insects, some vigorous profanity was naturally indulged 
in. "Curse low, men," ordered Brownlow as he turned his 
head, and in doing so he nearly stumbled to the ground, but 
as he recovered himself and went limping along he continued, 
in a very loud voice, "The occasion is worthy of considerable 
profanity, but cuss low, cuss low !" Coming to a road that 
led to the ford, about four hundred yards in the rear of the 
enemy, and reconnoitering the location and number of the 
rebel reserves, they formed for the charge, and moved 
quietly forward, unseen by the rebs, until they got within 
forty or fifty yards of them. 

Then, turning their carbines loose and rushing on them 
with a yell, in a very few minutes most of those Confederates 
were awaiting the orders of the Tennesseans. Some of 
them got away, but they bagged twelve. One of the last to 
give up was a freckled-faced fellow, half concealed behind a 
tree. When he was covered and surrendered, he threw 
down his gun and said : "I surrender, but dog-gone my 
skin, Yanks, 'taint fair to come at us in that way. If we'uns 
had been strong enough to take you'uns, the Confederate 
government 'ud hung you all for spies, as you hain't got no 
uniforms on," 



172 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

The prisoners were hustled up the river to the raft, 
where they swam across in advance of their captors and 
were received by some of the boys, who had come up to cover 
the retreat, if necessary. Thus a simple little order was 
executed. The rebels said it was a "Yankee trick." We'll 
agree that it was. Now. you will notice, the colonel of the 
regiment went into that "scrimmage" just as naked as the 
other boys. He might have had his clothes carried across 
the river for him by one of the privates, or he might have 
detailed a lieutenant or a captain to lead the attack, while 
he, in some safe position, viewed the battle "from afar." 
But, like a true volunteer, standing not upon his dignity or 
rank, he was willing to bear the same hardships or share 
the same fate as the privates. 

General i\IcCook makes honorable mention of this dar- 
ing feat, said to be the only naked charge made during the 
war : 

Headquarters First Cavalry Division, 

Department of the Cumberland, 

July 9th, 1864. 
General: I have the honor to report that a detachment under 
Colonel Dorr crossed the pontoon this afternoon, and scouted the 
country in front of General Schofield. They found the enemy's cav- 
alry there in force. 

Brownlow performed one of his characteristic feats to-day. I 
had ordered a detachment to cross at Cochran's Ford. It was deep, 
and he took them over naked, nothing but guns, cartridge-boxes and 
V hats. They drove the enemy out of their rifle-pits, captured a non- 
commissioned officer and three men, and the two boats on the other 
side. They would have got more but the rebels had the advantage 
in running through the bushes with clothes on. It was certainly one 
of the funniest sights of the war, and a very successful raid for 
naked men to make. 

Everything is quiet along the line, and citizens on the other side 
say the enemy were totally unprepared for a crossing on this flank. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

E. M. McCooK, 
Brigadicr-Gcncral Commanding Division. 
General W. L. Elliott, Chief of Cavalry. 

The morning after this occurrence, notice was given of 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 173 

the chang-ed situation by a reb, yelling out across the river : 
"Hello, Yank!" ''What do you want, Johnny?" "Can't 
talk to you'uns any more." "How is that?" "Orders to 
dry up." "What for, Johnny?" "Oh, Jim Brownlow with 

his d d Tennessee Yankees swam over upon the left 

last night and stormed our rifle-pits naked, captured sixty of 
our boys and made 'em swim back with him. We'uns have 
got to keep you'uns on your side of the river now." This 
expedition was quite succcessful, but it completely broke up 
the friendly relations that had existed the past two days 
between the boys in blue and gray along the banks of the 
Chattahoochee. 

On the afternoon of the 8th, Bird's Third Brigade, 
Third Division of the Twenty-third Corps, laid a pontoon 
near us at Phillips' F'erry and crossed over without much 
opposition, and intrenched. In this brigade there were two 
Tennessee regiments that had formerly belonged to Mor- 
gan's Seventh Division, Army of the Ohio, namely, the First 
and Fifth, the latter being in our old brigade when we were 
at Cumberland Gap, in 1862. The most of the crossings for 
eight or ten miles along the south side were kept guarded, 
the enemy being protected by detached fortifications and 
rifle-pits. 

On the night of the 9th, Johnson moved his army to 
the south side of the Chattahoochee, burned the railroad 
bridge and fell back to Peachtree Creek, where he again 
built a strong line of works along the south bank. The 
Army of the Tennessee, under McPherson, was transferred 
from the right to the left, near Roswell, above Powers' 
Ferry, where in a few days it crossed, the remainder of 
Sherman's army crossing at Pace's Ferry, below the mouth 
of Soap Creek. 

McCook's division was ordered to the right, below the 
Western & Atlantic road, where it rebuilt an old fort near 
where a bridge had been burned, Lilly's battery was placed 
in the fort, and on the 17th the enemy opened on our battery 
with nine guns from the forts on the south side of the river. 



174 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

The fort being rudely constructed, the enemy's shells almost 
destroyed the works and compelled the battery to cease 
firing for a short time, but in the afternoon the enemy were 
discovered leaving, when Lilly's guns were run back and 
opened a rapid fire on the retreating columns. 

After crossing the river, we moved forward on the 
Sandtcnvn road, skirmishing heavily with the enemy during 
the afternoon, occupying their position at ^Mason's Church 
during the night. On the 17th day of July, General Joseph 
E. Johnson was relieved by the authorities at Richmond and 
General J. B. Hood placed in command. The greatest reason 
assigned for his removal was his failure to check Sherman 
and his victorious army, which was fast approaching the 
objective point. 

The thundering of the artillery and the rattle of mus- 
ketry had been heard from Tunnell Hill almost to the ven,' 
gates of Atlanta, and this city and its important railway con- 
nections were now in danger. One peculiar feature of the 
campaign so far was that Johnson had never assaulted the 
Union lines, but on the other hand had done the most of his 
fighting behind positions of his own selection and works 
that were almost impregnable. But the patience, skill and 
watchfulness which he displayed .on this memorable cam- 
paign entitled him to more praise than criticism. In the 
language of the immortal Lincoln m reference to a proposed 
change of commanders, said : '*It is a bad plan to swap 
horses in the middle of a stream." 

On the 23rd, ]McCook's' division was attacked near 
jMason's Church, but repulsed the enemy. After this, orders 
were given to build a line of works. In this engagement, 
vStephen Smith, of Company A. was wounded. 

There was constant skirmishing and heavy cannonading 
maintained along our whole front. ]\IcCook's division was 
thrown on Thomas's right, along Proctor's Creek, covering 
the INIason and Turner's Ferry roads, and while holding this 
position was attacked on the afternoon of the 25th. After 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. l7S 

a brisk skirmish, the enemy were driven back, and we con- 
tinued to hold this part of Thomas' hne until the 27th. 

On the 20th, just three days after Hood assumed the 
command of the Confederate army, he left his works and 
assaulted our lines furiously at Peachtree Creek, but was 
repulsed with severe loss. The desperate fighting on the 
22nd, in which the gallant McPherson, commanding the 
Army of the Tennessee, was slain, on the Union side, and 
General Walker, on the Confederate side, and Ezra Church, 
the 28th, were all fought by the new Confederate com- 
mander, and the result of each has already passed into his- 
tory. In these severe engagements. Hood was the attacking 
party. He was brave and determined, but rash, and was now 
about to lose the reputation that he had miade in Virginia, 
under Longstreet, as a "stubborn fighter." In these assaults 
his loss was heavy, and he soon lost all taste for such reck- 
lessness and learned that it was much easier to defend rifle- 
pits than to capture them by assault, and subsequent events 
proved that his dash and eagerness to "rush" into battle cost 
him his command, and the Confederacy an army. 



176 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XIIT. 

RAID REI.O\V ATLANTA — GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY — 
DEATH OF LIEUT. ROBERTS — BROWNLOW REFUSES TO SUR- 
RENDER — CUTS THE LINES — HARDSHIPS OF THE MEN — 
SWIMMING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE. 

Division of the Mississippi, July 25th. 1S64. 
Special Field Order No. 42. 

General AlcCook and Colonel Harrison's cavalry will move 
rapidly on Fayetteville and the railroad beyond, breaking it if pos- 
sible. General McCook will command the joint cavalry command, 
his own and Colonel Harrison's, but will use Colonel Harrison's 
fatigued command as a reserve, and his own to reach the road and 
break it. The railroad when reached must be substantially destroyed 
for a space of two to five miles, telegraph wires pulled down as far 
as possible and hid in water or destroj'ed. The cavalry will, unless 
otherwise ordered, move out at daylight of Wednesday, the 27th 
instant, and aim to reach and break the railroad during the day or 
night of the 2Sth, and, having accomplished this work, will return 
to their proper flank of the army. 

It will bo seen from the above order that Sherman had 
resolved to break the two main roads running south from 
Atlanta. Stoneman. with five thousand men, was to move 
upon and destroy the Atlanta & ^lacon road, while AlcCook, 
with a force of about three thousand, five hundred men and 
one section of Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery, was to 
break the Atlanta & West Point road. Before starting, 
Stoneman asked permission to make an attempt with his own 
division to release the two thousand Union prisoners at 
]\Iacon and the twenty thousand at Andersonville. 

Before starting on this raid, the Fourth Kentucky 
I^Iounted Infantry was attached to the First Brigade, taking 
the place of the Second ^Michigan, which had previously 
been sent to ^Middle Tennessee, where the veteran portion 







A PONTOON BRIDt+E 




DKSTKIUTION OF A RAILROAD TRACK 



V 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVAERY. 177 

of the regiment was doing guard duty along the Nashville 
& Decatur Railroad. General John T. Croxton, a young 
and gallant Kentuckian, and the former colonel of the 
Fourth Kentucky, was placed in command of the brigade 
and remained its commander until our muster-out. 

McCook's division was composed of three brigades, 
Croxton's brigade was composed of three regiments, and 
had an aggregate strength at that time of only nine hundred 
and forty officers and men. Everything was put in "trim" 
for the raid, and on the morning of the 27th, McCook moved 
his division back and crossed to the north side of the Chatta- 
hoochee River at Turner's Ferry. From this place the di- 
vision was moved south to Campbellton, reaching the latter 
place at 3 p. m. 

From this point we still moved south about six miles 
to Smith's Ferry, which is almost opposite Palmetto Station. 
Here a pontoon bridge was laid, and we again crossed to the 
south side early on the morning of the 28th with but slight 
opposition. After crossing, the whole command mounted 
and moved rapidly toward Palmetto Station, on the Atlanta 
& West Point road, with the Second Brigade in the advance. 
About two and one-half miles from the river the roads fork. 
Croxton's brigade took the right-hand road and, with the 
First Tennessee in the advance, pressed on rapidly, encoun- 
tering only small squads of the enemy, reaching Palmetto 
Station at sunset, simultaneously with the Second Brigade, 
which had moved on the left-hand road. 

At this place two hours were spent in destroying the 
railroad and telegraph line. We captured the mail, burned 
the depot, which contained a lot of cotton and a large quan- 
tity of salt, bacon and flour ; tore up and destroyed the rail- 
road track, cut and pulled down the telegraph wire, and at 
9 p. m. mounted and moved toward Lovejoy's Station, on 
the Atlanta & Macon road, by way of Fayetteville, which 
was reached at daylight on the 29th, destroying at this 
place the mail and a lot of tobacco, whiskey and sacks. 

At 5 a. m. the First Tennessee was ordered forward. 



178 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

supported by a battalion of the Eighth Iowa under Major 
Root, capturing on the way about five hundred loaded 
wagons, which we turned over to the rear guard to burn, 
and in this wa>- we were able to help many a distressed 
quartermaster to make settlement and "balance accounts." 
The most of the wagons belonged to Hood's army, and 
among them were several pa>masters, with chests well filled 
with Confederate money. The boys filled their pockets, and 
on meeting a comrade who had failed to "'suddenly become 
rich." would make him a present of a few thousand dollars 
bv way of a joke. 

We were soon overstocked with quartermasters, pay- 
masters, teamsters and camp-followers, and, to be truthful, 
we had all the good horses and mules that we needed. The 
sorrv ones were ordered to be killed. As we approached 
Flint River, the Confederates fired the bridge, but the First 
Tennessee, led by Colonel Brownlow, charged across the 
burning bridge, captured the guard, extinguished the fire 
and saved the bridge. We reached the railroad at I,ovejoy's 
Station at 7 a. m.. after an ail-night march, and immediately 
cut the wire, and then commenced the destruction of the 
track, depot and cars. 

Major Thomburgh. First Tennessee, and ■Major Root, 
Eighth Iowa, were ordered to the Station with their bat- 
talions to destroy the depot, cars and all other property, 
which they did most effectually. They destroyed three hun- 
dred thousand dollars' worth of cotton and salt, one hun- 
dred dollars' worth of tobacco — so estimated by our oflricers 
— besides a large quantity of bacon, lard and some miscel- 
laneous property. \Miile this was going on. the road was 
lined with men, who were busy tearing up the track and 
rendering the rails useless by heating and bending them 
around trees or over a pile of cross-ties. 

When an army was pressed for time, the usual method 
of rendering rails unfit for use was the bending process, 
which was both simple and quickly done. A dozen or so 
ties were piled together, and across this the rails were placed 













THE ADVANCE 




FIRST LIEUTENANT .lOHN ROBERTS, COM 1>ANY C, 
Killed at Lovejoy's Station, Ga., July 29, 1S64 



>i 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 179 

side by side until it was thoroughly covered ; on each end of 
the rails two heavy ties were placed, and when the rails got 
hot enough from the burning ties the weight on the ends 
would force them to the ground, while the raiders would be 
many miles away. 

General McCook expected to communicate with Stone- 
man from this place, as he was supposed to be at or near 
McDonough, and for that purpose kept his division waiting 
until 2 p. m. At times the troops had to cease the destruction 
of the road and take up their arms for battle. McCook, find- 
ing it impossible to communicate with Stoneman, decided 
that it was unwise and dangerous to wait longer and ordered 
his command to return to Moore's bridge, on the Chattahoo- 
chee River, by the way of Newnan, on the Atlanta & West 
Point road. 

The delay almost proved fatal, as his command was 
almost surrounded by Wheeler's cavalry before starting. 
McCook had not moved his division more than one mile 
when Croxton's brigade, which was in the rear, was cut 
oft" from the remainder of the division and attacked with 
great vigor from the front and right flank by Armstrong's 
division. The enemy rushed upon our little brigade with 
all the ferocity of savages, but after a severe hand-to-hand 
conflict they were handsomely repulsed, but not without 
severe loss to the brigade. 

Colonel Dorr, Eighth Iowa, was wounded, his adjutant 
and one lieutenant killed. The First Tennessee mourned the 
loss of Lieutenant John Roberts, Company C, who fell in 
this engagement, and like a true soldier died at his post of 
duty. He was brave, kind and courteous, beloved by all, and 
especially by the members of his company, who knew of his 
worth. His remains now rest in the beautiful National 
Cemetery at Marietta, Georgia. The writer visited the ceme- 
tery a few years ago and found his grave. 

The Fourth Kentucky lost two companies by capture, 
and several men killed and wounded. After this spirited en- 
gagement, Croxton was able to withdraw his brigade, and 



ISO HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

now moved rapidly forward and overtook the division. Mc- 
Cook now turned to the left and moved toward Xewnan, 
with the Second brigade in the rear, until Flint River was 
reached. Here the division commander again placed Crox- 
ton's brigade in the rear, and during that July night it cov- 
ered the rear. 

The command was kept moving as rapidly as possible, 
but the column was greatly impeded by the pack-train and 
prisoners, which at times completely blocked tlie road. The 
men and horses were quite exhausted, and it was no 
uncommon thing to find the men riding along sound asleep» 
regardless of tlie strict orders from the officers to keep awake 
and the column well closed up. All this time the rear guard 
was hard pressed and the keen crack of the carbine was 
heard ringing out on the midnight air, warning us that the 
enemy was close upon the rear, covered by the gallant Fourth 
Kentucky, under Colonel Kelly. 

The advance guard was fired upon several times during 
the night, and we momentarily expected to be attacked in 
flank, as there seemed to be a great many roads tapping the 
one over which we were marching. \Mien Croxton's bri- 
gade reached the bridge over \Miite ^^'ater Creek, the First 
Tennessee was halted and formed in line, covering the road 
where it crossed the stream, with orders to destroy the 
bridge and then cover the rear to Xe\\-nan. which was about 
y ten miles southwest. The rear now became the place of 
honor, as Avell as danger, but the First Tennessee never 
asked for an easy place. 

A small train of wagons was captured and destroyed 
during the night. About lo a. m. on the 30th, the advance 
guard reached the Atlanta & West Point road near Xewnan, 
and immediately cut the telegraph wire and destroyed the 
road in three places. This accomplished, McCook pushed 
on to Xewnan, where he encountered an infantry- force that 
had been stopped on its way to Atlanta by the break he had 
made in the road at Palmetto on the 28th. [McCook. find- 
ing the force at this place too strong and escape cut oflf by 



1 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 181 

this route, moved to the left and rear of the town, with 
Harrison's brigade in the rear. He had moved his division 
but a short distance, when he found a heavy force in his 
front. This temporary check gave the infantry time to move 
up to the support of Wheeler's cavalry, which greatly out- 
numbered the Union troops. Wheeler had with him the 
divisions of Armstrong, Jackson and Roddy. The pursuing 
cavalry now had him completely hemmed in and he was 
compelled to drop his captives and fight. McCook's small 
division, which had been greatly reduced by death and cap- 
ture, was in great danger of being captured. He ordered 
his command to prepare for action. 

Croxton was ordered to form his brigade in line of 
battle, covering a road to his right, with the Eighth Iowa on 
the left, the Fourth Kentucky in the center and the First 
Tennessee on the right. The troops were dismounted, and 
at the command charged forward under a hot fire, driving 
back the enemy on this part of the line and holding them in 
check. Just then a force was seen advancing in line of battle 
in McCook's front. Croxton was ordered to mount his bri- 
gade and move forward at once. 

This order was executed promptly and in gallant style 
by the Eighth Iowa, supported by the First Tennessee, in 
which Rose's brigade of Texas troops were driven back in 
great confusion, the general and a part of his staflf being 
captured. McCook's division was almost surrounded and all 
avenues of escape nearly cut ofif. The fighting was severe ; 
in fact, it was one series of brilliant charges and counter- 
charges. Lieutenant Miller, who was in command of the 
section of Lilly's batery, had in the two hours of hard fight- 
ing used up all the canister, and had only a few shells left. 
The enemy was fast closing in upon his guns when the First 
Tennessee was ordered to charge and save them if possible. 
The regiment raised the "y^^l/' ^^^ ^^ a- few minutes the 
enemy 'was sent flying to the rear. The regiment captured 
several prisoners in this charge, and after sending them to 
the rear, charged on after the flying enemy until their second 



182 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

line was reached. Here the firing was very heavy, and all 
that saved lis was, they fired too high. The regiment was 
then ordered to fall back. 

The chances of escape now looked bad. and thoughts 
of a horrible prison life seemed close at hand, for only a 
short distance away were the well-known prison pens of 
Andersonville and Macon, where at that time twenty-two 
thousand Union soldiers were confined. ]\IcCook ordered 
Lieuteant Miller to destroy his two guns, which had been 
doing such deadly work, cut the harness to pieces and mount 
his men on the artillery horses. 

All this time the enemy was fast closing in on all sides 
and, so far as we could see, we were completely surrounded. 
McCook had put every man he had into the fight, even his 
escort, and then was unable to hold the advantage gained 
or even get through their line. IMcCook, finding his position 
completely enveloped by a vastly superior force, and when 
the day seemed lost and all hope of escape abandoned, called 
a council of his brigade and regimental commanders to de- 
cide what to do. JNIcCook spoke of their calamity and the 
prospect of being made prisoners, wdien Colonel Brownlow 
remarked that he would be d d if he would ever sur- 
render. "What," said McCook, "will you do? How can you 
help it?" "Why," said Brow^nlow, "I can and will cut my 
way out. I would about as soon be killed in the attempt as 
to be sent to Andersonville or Libby. They treat South- 
erners worse in those prisons than they do you Northern 
men, and I am going to cut my w^ay out if my men will 
follow me." 

\Mien Colonel Brownlow returned to his regiment and 
told the men what he proposed to do, they raised a shout and 
said, "You are right. Colonel : by G — d, we will follow you!" 
Then Brownlow went in one direction and McCook another 
both reaching ^Marietta about the same time. Brownlow 
was ordered to lead the brigade in this forlorn hope. The 
route selected was through a large open field, but upon ex- 
amination an impassable ditch was found, but, afer some 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 183 

little delay Brownlow's eagle eye caught sight of a small 
bridge, across which he led his regiment. Croxton rode out 
with Colonel Brownlow, and after crossing the ravine or- 
dered Brownlow to form his regiment on the crest of a ridge, 
facing the enemy. 

Croxton ordered up the remainder of his brigade and 
sent McCook word that he was out and that the road was 
clear. McCook at once ordered Croxton to move south in 
the direction of LaGrange. but in a short time became sep- 
arated from his brigade. Colonel Brownlow, supposing that 
he was captured, assumed command and moved in the direc- 
tion of the Chattahoochee River. The command was badly 
scattered, and it seemed like the old-time adage was about to 
be fulfilled — "P>oys, take care of yourselves, and the devil 
take the hindmost man." 

McCook came through with detachments of the Second 
and Third brigades, while a portion of the Second remained 
with Brownlow. It was about 5 p. m., July 30, when the 
command left the field near Newnan, and now began a race 
for life. The men and horses were utterly exhausted and 
worn out. The men had been constantly in the saddle day 
and night ever since the 27th of June, with almost constant 
fighting and no sleep except the "forty winks" snatched 
while on the march. But the men were nerved up to the 
supreme effort by the surrounding circumstances. 

The Chattahoochee River, with its steep, rugged banks 
and swift-flowing current, with no means of crossing, was 
in our front and must be crossed before morning. All pris- 
oners and led horses were dropped before starting, and with 
a hostile army in our rear we made very good time during 
the night. Colonel Brownlow kept his weary column moving 
as rapidly as the circumstances would permit, and at i a. m. 
on the 31st reached the Chattahoochee River at Rotherwood. 

At this place Brownlow found two small canoes, and 
immediately commenced crossing his troops, which was 
necessarily a slow one on account of the limited means at 
hand. Colonel Brownlow displayed great energy and cour- 



v; 



184 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

age on this occasion and set a noble example to his men by 
swimming the river time and again, helping his men to cross. 
Scores of the men, becoming impatient at the slow process, 
plunged their horses into the river and succeeded in gaining 
the opposite shore, while others would "grab" a horse's tail 
and make the poor animal perform double dut\-. 

^^'hen from two to three hundred had succceeded in 
crossing, the enemy made an attack from both sides of the 
river and captured scores of men. who, from exhaustion and 
want of sleep, had laid down while the men in front were 
crossing, thinking they were in no danger. It was about 
seventy-nve miles from this place to Marietta, and as the 
greater part of the men had lost their horses at the river, the 
journey had to be made on foot. The route was through a 
hostile country, and as the news iiad gone forth that the 
countr}- was alive with '"Yankees" ever}- old Georgia farmer 
who had a gim was on the lookout for our men. 

The Confederate cavalry was di\-ided up into small 
squads and kept the country through which we traveled 
thoroughly guarded, making escape exceedingly doubtful. 
Some of the boys were captured almost in sight of the Union 
pickets. Others were pursued through thickets and swamps, 
but at last reached the Union line at [Marietta, -\mong the 
first to arrive was Colonel Bro\\Tilow and a small detacliment 
of men from different regiments. 

On the 2nd day of August, the boys began to come into 
camp, some barefooted, others without hats, but each one 
with a story that would fill a volume. The regiment was 
greatly reduced before starting on the raid, and the writer 
is sorry that he is unable to give the strength at that time. 
The First Tennessee sustained the following loss on the 
raid, which is very light considering the amount of sen-ice 
rendered : 

Killed — Company C. First Lieutenant John Roberts. 

Wounded and Captured — Company K, Bugler James 
Ray : Company M. Private B. F. Hously. 

Captured — Adjutant John 'M. Harris and Hospital 




MAP SH()\VIX(4 liOUTE TAKEN J5V Mct'OOK S DIVISION, 

In the rear of Atlanta, July, 1864. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 185 

Steward S. H. Hendrix ; Company A, Captain Moses Wiley, 
Privates Colby Payne and William Ward ; Company D, Pri- 
vates D. C. C. Brown and John Earls ; Company I, Privates 
William Gharst, Hug-li Davis, W. F. Williams and Jeremiah 
Rogers ; Company C, Corporal John A. Potter ; Company K, 
Lieutenant A. M. Smith and Private John Dunn; Company 
L, Private Jacob Collier; Company M, Farier S. R. Taylor, 
Privates S. J. Felknor and Jacob McNeese; Company B, 
Calvin Wolf. 

The officers were first taken to Macon and after a short 
stay at that place were sent to Charleston and from there to 
Columbia. The enlisted men were sent to Andersonville; 
where, after several months of suffering, some were ex- 
changed, while others answered to the last roll-call on earth 
and passed over the river and joined the vast army beyond. 

"Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead ! 

Dear as the blood ye gave; 
No impious footsteps here shall tread 

The herbage of your grave! 
Nor shall your glory be forgot 

While Fame her record keeps, 
Or Honor points the hallowed spot 

Where valor proudly sleeps." 

After a hasty review of the raid, no just criticism can be 
made of its management, for it was planned by an able gen- 
eral and promptly and faithfully executed by a skilful and 
brave general, backed and supported by gallant officers and 
men. It is exceedingly doubtful, however, if McCook 
had not waited so long at Lovejoy's Station to hear from 
Stoneman, that any misfortune would have overtaken his 
command. The valuable time lost was wisely improved 
by the enemy, who was rapidly concentrating his forces at 
Lovejoy, with Wheeler between our command and that of 
Stoneman. When McCook left Lovejoy for Newnan, a 
large force was in his rear, as well as on his flanks, so by 
the time his division reached Newnan it was almost sur- 
rounded, and nothing saved it from capture but stubborn 
fighting. 



186 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

ArcCook, in his official report of the raid, says: "I re- 
gard the raid as a brilUant success, and had the forces of 
General Stoneman been able to unite with mine near Mc- 
Donough, as I understood was contemplated by the general 
commanding the military division, I think we might have 
successively carried our arms wherever we desired, and 
accomplished more magnificent results than any raid in the 
history of the war. My whole loss, killed, wounded and 
missing, will not exceed five hundred. It is not improper 
here to refer to the fact that the rebel papers acknowledge 
a loss of from eight to nine hundred, and severely censure 
their generals for not having, with their vastly superior 
force, entirely destroyed our whole command. In con- 
cluding my report, I desire to make special mention of Col- 
onel Brownlow, First Tennessee, and other officers of my 
command." '^ ''' * 

By the loth the most of the scattered troops had eluded 
their pursuers and made their way to our camp at Marietta. 

Stoneman's command did not fare so well. It seems 
that he moved direct to Macon for the purpose of releasing 
the Union prisoners confined there, but was unsuccessful. 
He went close enough to shell the town, but the place was 
too strongly fortified, and he withdrew a short distance, 
where he and several hundred of his men were captured. 
The remainder of his troops cut their way out and returned. 
Stoneman's troops, however, did considerable damage to the 
road. 

After the famous ]\IcCook raid in the rear of Atlanta, 
the First Tennessee lay quietly in camp at j\I arietta, enjoy- 
ing for a short time the first rest since the opening of the 
campaign. This was a very long and active campaign, last- 
ing for one hundred days. During a portion of the time 
there was almost a continuous downpour of rain, making the 
roads almost impassable, consequently all the movements of 
the army were slow and difficult. 

Magnificent forts and long lines of rifie-pits had been 
built by Johnson's army across our line of march to check 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 187 

the jnvadir.s: army. These works had cost weeks of hard 
labor, but were all wrested from the prudent and sagacious 
Confederate commander, General Joseph E. Johnson. These 
were the fruits of months of hard, patient service and were 
obtained at a cost to us of hundreds of brave men. When 
Sherman found the works too formidable to be taken by as- 
sault, he resorted to his well-known "flanking business," 
which usually produced the desired result. 

The following report will give the reader an idea of the 
cost of war and what we were doing all this time. General 
J. M. Brannan, chief of artillery, Army of the Cumberland, 
reported the following expenditure of ammunition from 
May 3 to September 3 : Eighty-six thousand, six hundred 
and eleven rounds of artillery ammunition, and eleven mil- 
lion, eight hundred and fifteen thousand, two hundred and 
ninety-nine rounds of small-arms ammunition, used by the 
Army of the Cumberland alone. 

The official report of General W. L. Elliott, commander- 
in-chief of the cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, during 
the Atlanta campaign for the same period, shows a loss in 
McCook's division of eleven hundred and forty-eight officers 
and enlisted men, killed, wounded and missing. 



188 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XIV. 

ORDERED TO NASHVILLE — WHEELER's RAID — SHARP FIGHTING 
— COLONEL BRO\\NI.O\V WOUNDED — WHEELER DRIVEN 
ACROSS THE TENNESSEE — FORREST RETURNS BUT MEETS 
THE SAME FATE — THE DARING RAIDER FORCED TO FIGHT — 
FIGHTING BUSHWHACKERS — LIFE ALONG THE TENNES- 
SEE. 

In tlie recent raid south of Atlanta, the men composing 
IMcCook's division lost a great many of their horses, and as it 
was important that this splendid division should be fitted up 
and take the field with as little delay as possible, Croxton 
was ordered to turn over the horses belonging to his brigade 
for the purpose of furnishing re-mounts for the remainder 
of the division. This being done, he was ordered to take his 
brigade to Nashville for the purpose of being re-equipped 
and remounted. 

The First Tennessee moved by rail from ]\Iarietta to 
XasliA-ille by way of Chattanooga. The Western & Atlantic 
Railroad, the one over which the regiment was being trans- 
ported, runs through a country unsurpassed for scenery. 
Earthworks and new-made graves were also visible along 
this historic road. Nothing of special interest occurred on 
the way to Nashville. 

The regiment reached its destination without accident, 
and was immediately moved to Camp Smith, about three 
miles east of Nashville, on the Cumberland River. The First 
Tennessee pitched its tents at the east end of the camp. From 
this point we had a splendid view of the Cumberland River. 
This camp was in a beautiful grove of oak and poplar trees, 
whose wide-spreading branches made inviting places for the 
boys to pass away their idle moments as well as protect them 
from the hot ra\s of the sun. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 189 

During the long summer campaign, the uniforms of the 
officers and men, that were once bright and new, were now 
faded and covered with dust. The faces of the men were 
bronzed by the blazing sun, and as the regiment marched 
through the streets of Nashville the appearance of the men 
indicated that they had been at the front. 

The Christian Commission, through its agents, visited 
our camp and furnished the men with many things that the 
government did not provide for its defenders. This grand 
organization did a great deal of good by furnishing the 
soldiers with many little useful articles, such as paper and 
envelopes, needles, buttons and thread. In addition to these 
articles, they furnished the soldiers with Bibles, Testaments 
and hymn-books. 

The duty imposed upon the regiment was very light, in 
fact, it was a "picnic" to us, and we began to put on style and 
"play soldier" again. 

Eighteen long months had passed by since the regiment 
had left Nashville and gone to the front, and during that 
time we were scarcely ever out of sight of the enemy's camp. 
With our bountiful supply of "greenbacks" we were able to 
purchase a great many things that our generous government 
did not furnish us with, such as watermelons, peaches, grapes 
and apples. 

While we were enjoying this delightful season of rest 
and "high living," General Joe Wheeler, our old antagonist, 
was on his way out from a raid through East Tennessee, and 
headed for Nashville. This raid furnished the opportunity 
for further display of gallantry on the part of Colonel 
Brownlow and his "fighting regiment." 

Croxton's brigade drew horses, and everything about 
our camp was put in order to meet this unexpected move- 
ment of Wheeler. Orders were issued to the First Tennes- 
see to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and to an "old 
soldier" that kind of an order usually meant business. 
Wheeler was moving toward Nashville with a large force of 
cavalry, and General L. H. Rousseau, who was in command 



190 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

of the District of Middle Tennessee, with headquarters at 
Nashville, ordered Croxton to move his brigade from Camp 
Smith to Lavergne, a station on the Nashville & Chatta- 
nooga Railroad, and fifteen iniles southeast of Nashville. 

General Croxton moved his brigade at 6 p. m., August 
31, closely followed by Rousseau, with a force of infantry. 
It was a beautiful night, and as we marched along the turn- 
pike leading to Murfreesboro, myriads of twinkling stars 
peeped out from a cloudless sky, furnishing sufficient light 
for the marching columns. 

The First Tennessee under Colonel Brownlow led the 
column, and after moving a short distance from camp, Com- 
pany C was ordered to the front for an advance guard. This 
was not the first time the First Tennessee had ever marched 
along the turnpikes of JMiddle Tennessee at night, neither 
was it a new experience to lead a marching army. 

As we were marching along we could see a very bright 
light in our front, and supposed that Wheeler was burning 
the depot at Lavergne. When we were within a few miles of 
Lavergne, Company A was sent forward to reinforce the 
advance guard. No singing or loud talking was allowed 
that night. 

Toward midnight, our advance struck Wheeler's pickets 
about two miles from Lavergne, and after a lively skirmish 
his pickets were driven in. 

Rousseau halted his command for the night, deeming it 
unwise to move any farther, as he knew nothing of the 
strength and location of the enemy. Colonel Brownlow was 
ordered to dismount his regiment, send his horses to the 
rear and build a rail barricade across the turnpike and hold 
his position until morning. In this midnight skirmish, Pri- 
vates W. A. Cannon and Zack Peay, of Company C, were 
W'ounded, and three horses shot. 

The regiments built a temporary line of works and 
remained in line of battle during the night, and early the next 
morning, September i, Colonel Brownlow was ordered to 
take the advance again. He led forward his regiment toward 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 191 

Lavergne and in a short time engaged that portion of the 
enemy which he had fought during the night. The most of 
Wheeler's troops were in our front, and he was making a 
desperate attempt to hold us in check until his men could de- 
stroy the road. 

The First Tennessee continued to drive back Wheeler's 
troops tovv-ard Lavergne, and when near that place. Colonel 
Brownlow charged his advance and drove it back rapidly 
upon his main line, which was partly concealed by a heavy 
cedar grove, and after a hand-to-hand fight, in which the 
saber was freely used, the regiment was driven back by over- 
whelming numbers until the remainder of the brigade was 
met. Two companies of the Eighth Iowa and Company C, 
First Tennessee, were detached and sent on the gallop to the 
railroad to drive away a force that was tearing up the track. 

This little detachment drove in their pickets, charged 
upon and routed the troops that were engaged in the de- 
struction of the track. The enemy had fired a small bridge, 
but with a few canteens of water the fire was extinguished 
and the bridge saved. We killed one man, captured five 
and returned without loss to our ranks. 

Not until the most of Wheeler's forces were massed 
and hurled upon the regiment did it yield an inch, and then 
the enemy were not allowed to press it with impunity. 
Wheeler, finding himself hard pressed, left the Nashville & 
Chattanooga Road late in the afternoon, without doing much 
damage. He turned almost due west and struck the Nash- 
ville & Decatur Road, at Franklin. In this short but spirited 
engagement, the First Tennessee sustained the following 
loss: 

Killed — Company D, Sergeant Geo. W. Witt; Com- 
pany I, Private Samuel Broyles ; Company B, Sergeant John 
Hopson, Corporal Thos. L. Seal and Private Thomas Cook. 

Missing in Action — Company B, Claiborne Gibbs. 
Wounded — Company I, Private Elbert Smith; Com- 
pany E, Private Newton F. Smelser, severely ; Company K, 
Private E. S. Smith ; Company L, Privates Henry C. Fisher 



192 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

and John Martin; Company B, Lieutenant Daniel S. Fox, 
Privates James G. Trent and Roily Maze. Corporal Robert 
Marsh was seriously hurt by his horse falling while making 
the charge. 

John Hopson was color sergeant of Company B, and 
was killed while carrying the guidon of his company. 

Rousseau pursued the retreating enemy rapidly from 
Lavcrgne, marching almost the entire night, reaching Frank- 
lin about daylight on the morning of the 2nd. At this place 
we were joined by the Second Michigan, of our brigade. 
This regiment had been doing guard duty for some time 
along the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. 

Wheeler had swung around Franklin and was approach- 
ing from the south just as Croxton's brigade was entering 
from the east. The two columns met on a high range of 
hills about one mile south of town on the turnpike leading 
from Franklin to Columbia. Our battery took up a position 
on the turnpike and opened a brisk fire on the enemy, who 
were just a short distance in our front. \\'heeler, seeing that 
we had won in the race for position, now made an attempt to 
turn our right flank and capture the battery that was dealing 
out shells, grape and canister in such great profusion. 

Colonel Brownlow was ordered to move his regiment at 
once and occupy the hill to the right of our battery and to 
hold it at all hazards. The regiment was moved to the foot 
of the hill on die gallop. Here Colonel Brownlow dis- 
mounted his regiment and, forming it in line of battle, moved 
rapidly up the steep and rocky hill. The day was exceed- 
ingly hot, so by the time the summit was reached we were 
almost exhausted. Wheeler moved his troops forward with 
equal promptness, so the contending forces met at the crest 
almost at the same moment. 

The firing was severe and began at close range, and in a 
few minutes the hill was completely enveloped in smoke. 
Almost at the first fire, Colonel Brownlow, while gallantly 
leading his men into the very ranks of the enemy, fell 
severely wounded, and was borne from the field amid 




feO^NDINW THE CHARGE 




A CAVALRY CAMP 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 193 

a perfect tempest of bullets. A muskct-ball passed throug-h 
both of his legs, producing a very painful wound — a wound 
that almost proved fatal. He was immediately carried to 
the rear, where his wounds were dressed, but almost bled 
to death before the surgeons reached him. About the 
same time, Lieutenant I. B. Self, C. S., received a wound 
in the head, at first supposed to be mortal, but by good 
nursing he survived his wound and is now a prominent 
Cumberland Presbyterian minister. 

After the fall of Colonel Brownlow, Lieutenant-Colonel 
C. M. Dyer assumed command of the regiment, and filled the 
position to which he was so suddenly and unexpectedly 
called with that cool and conspicuous bravery that had char- 
acterized him on all occasions. He was a brave, true Chris- 
tion soldier, and the noble example he set before the brave 
men he was called at that trying moment to command, was 
worthy of emulation. 

The enemy made several attempts to drive the First 
Tennessee from its position, but the orders were, "Hold 
the hill, and don't give it up until ordered to do so." We 
fought from behind logs, trees, rocks or anything else that 
would afford us protection from the pelting storm of lead. 
The First Tennessee was not ashamed or the least bit back- 
ward on an occasion like this to seek the friendly protection 
of a stump, or a tree, in order that a valuable life might be 
saved. The regiment maintained its position until the left 
had been repulsed and driven back almost in its rear, when 
Croxton ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer to fall back. 

The regiment fell back in splendid order, and it is a 
fact worthy of remark that the enemy in its front were so 
severely punished that they did not pursue as it withdrew. 
Croxton moved his brigade back a short distance and took 
up a new position, which he held until the arrival of Rous- 
seau and his infantry. Wheeler remained in our front until 
late in the afternoon, when he withdrew and 4noved south. 

The First Tennessee sustained the following loss : 

Killed and Mortally Wounded — Company A, James 



194 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Martin, mortally wounded, died Nov. 5 ; Company D, Cor- 
poral Robert B. Cook. 

IVoundcd — Colonel James P. Brownlow, severely; Com- 
pany D, Lieutenant I. B. Self, C. S., and John W. Legg, 
severely; Company E, William Fletcher; Company M, C. 
M. Fellers. 

In this engagement the First Tennessee was confronted 
by the Fourth Tennessee, Eighth and Eleventh Texas Cav- 
alry, of Kelley's division. Among those who fell on the Con- 
federate side and in front of the First Tennessee, was Brig- 
adier-General J. H. Kelley, one of Wheeler's brave and 
trusted division commanders. 

While we were engaged at Franklin, Atlanta, one of the 
most important cities of the Confederacy, fell into our hands, 
together with its extensive mills and foundries. The First 
Tennessee had contributed three months of hard and dis- 
tinguished service toward its capture, but was ordered away 
before it fell. 

There was considerable sharp skirmishing during the 
afternoon, in fact, it continued until darkness enveloped both 
armies and shut out from view the contending forces. Rous- 
seau's troops camped on the field during the night, and early 
the next morning he pushed his column toward Columbia, in 
search of Wheeler, who had retreated south during the night, 
under cover of darkness. 

General Rousseau, not being detained by engagements 
or burnt bridges during the day, marched his army in the 
vicinity of Columbia and bivouacked for the night. At this 
place, Wheeler scattered his troops for the purpose of mis- 
leading the pursuing column, consequently the greater part 
of the 4th was spent in trying to ascertain the route his 
main force had taken. Late in the afternoon, Croxton was 
ordered to advance with his brigade toward Pulaski, halting 
for the night about six miles from Columbia. 

The pursuit was resumed early on the morning of the 
5th, and when near a small hamlet called Campbellsville, 
Croxton overtook a portion of Wheeler's force, and a lively 



TENNESSEE VOI,UNTEER CAVALRY. 195 

engagement ensued. Wheeler had taken up a strong position 
in an extensive beech forest, which afforded great protection 
to his men. The artillery was run up and opened a brisk fire 
on the enemy. At the same time, Croxton moved his bri- 
gade forward in line of battle and soon the whole line was 
warmly engaged. 

Rousseau's troops were too far in the rear to be of any 
benefit to Croxton, consequently his small brigade was alone, 
contending against the most of Wheeler's troops. Finding 
it impossible to dislodge Wheeler from the position he had 
taken, Croxton ordered the First Tennessee, under Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Dyer, to charge him with the saber. In the 
execution of this order the First Tennessee was compelled to 
charge across an open field under a brisk fire. 

But the regiment never failed to execute an order, and 
on this occasion, with its accustomed gallantry, charged 
upon the enemy with the saber, cutting and slashing right 
and left, breaking his line and driving him from the woods. 
The remainder of Croxton's brigade advanced, and soon 
Wheeler's troops were routed and sent flying southward. 

The casualties in the First Tennessee were as follows : 

Killed and Mortally Wounded — Company F, John H. 
Shaver; Company C, Sergeant J. L. Geasland, mortally 
wounded, died in hospital at Nashville, Sept. 30; Company 
K, Harrison Key; Company L, John W. Pettitt and W. H. 
Osmit. 

IVounded — Company A, James Harris ; Company F, 
Geo. W. Black, Peter Henry and Nathaniel Spencer; Com- 
pany I, A. J. Kelly, severely wounded and captured ; Com- 
pany C, James R. Chambless ; Company M, Harvey Bales. 

In this charge, Sergeant J. B. Clapp, of Company C, 
had the misfortune of having his horse shot from under him. 
He was carrying the regimental flag, and in falling his right 
leg was caught under his horse. The plucky sergeant man- 
aged to extricate himself with the loss of one boot and a 
few bruises, but saved the colors. 

This was the last stand made by Wheeler. Finding him- 



196 HISTORY OF F'IRST REGIMENT 

self closclv pursued, he withdrew and moved rapidly through 
Pulaski, and after an exciting chase he succeeded in cross- 
ing the Tennessee River near Rodgersville, Alabama. The 
loss inflicted to our railroads was very light, and so closely 
was Wheeler pursued that not a single place of any im- 
portance was captured, and on the whole his raid was not 
a very great success. 

After Wheeler had been driven across Tennessee River, 
General Croxton's brigade was ordered to Franklin, where 
a camp was laid out. This camp was southeast of town, 
near Harpeth River, and in a beautiful grove of oaks and 
elms. This was one of the prettiest camps that the regiment 
had ever laid out. The tents were put up in parallel rows, 
with wide streets between each company. Pretty arbors 
were put up in front to break the force of the sun. 

We were not permitted to enjoy this beautiful camp 
very long. It is said that Hood was very much disappointed 
at the light damage inflicted upon the railroads by Wheeler, 
and determined to send another raiding party to more fully 
destroy the roads that were supplying Sherman's army. For- 
rest at once set about organizing a force of at least ten 
thousand men for this purpose. He crossed the Tennessee 
River at Waterloo, Alabama, September 20, and moved upon 
the Nashville & Decatur Road, striking it first at Athens. 

Here, after considerable skirmishing and maneuvering, 
Forrest succeeded in capturing the place, with the garrison, 
a portion of it being a small detachment of the Third Ten- 
nessee Cavalry. The bold raider pushed north and on the 
25th captured the garrison and burned the long trestle at 
Sulphur Branch. At this place, the remainder of the Third 
Tennessee Cavalry was surrounded and captured, after a 
brave defense of this important place. Forrest, elated with 
his success thus far, now moved on toward Pulaski, destroy- 
ing some small bridges and several miles of track. 

All this lime Rousseau was collecting and concentrat- 
ing his scattered forces at Pulaski to head ofif Forrest and 
stop his march north. General Croxton's brigade was 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 197 

pushed forward from Franklin and by the time Forrest 
reached Pulaski he found Rousseau there with a force, 
awaiting his coming, so he turned to the right to avoid an 
engagement, but was met on the east side of town and com- 
pelled to fight. 

There was some sharp fighting during the 27th around 
Pulaski, and at night Forrest drew oflf. The loss in the regi- 
ment was : 

Killed — Company L, C. G. Montgomery. 

Wounded — Company L, Eli Cleveland. 

Forrest was very much astonished and perplexed to find 
such a large force in his front, for it was his intention to 
strike the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad with his whole 
force ; but, having learned that a much heavier force was 
in his front than he wished to meet, changed his direction 
and divided his forces. A portion of Forrest's command 
succeeded in reaching the Nashville & Chattanooga Road 
near Tullahoma, where the track for a short distance was 
destroyed and the wires cut. 

General Forrest, with the remainder of his command, 
moved to our rear in the direction of Columbia, but we were 
pushing him so close that he made no attack. He still moved 
north and at Spring Hill he destroyed the track by turning 
it down an embankment. Forrest was unable to move any 
further north, as there were four columns closing in upon 
him. 

The daring raider now turned southwest and passed 
through Lawrenceburg. On the 6th day of October, we 
overtook his rear guard at Cypress Creek, Alabama, and 
after a brisk skirmish he fled and made his escape by cross- 
ing the Tennessee River at Bainbridge. This was the second 
time inside of a month that we had assisted in driving the 
enemy out of our State and across the beautiful Tennessee. 
In this skirmish, L. C. H. Long, Company A, was wounded 
and captured. 

The chief object of these raids was for the purpose of 
destroying the railroads and burning bridges, but the damage 



198 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

was so slight that it only took a short time to place the road 
again in running order. So, after long and weary marches 
and hard fighting, the State was once more rid of the 
raiders, and all eftorts to baffle Sherman in his preparations 
for his grand niarch to the sea were at an end. 

On the loth. the regiment and brigade took up the line 
of march for Pulaski, by way of Florence and Lexington. 
We remained only a few days, however, at Pulaski. From 
this place, Croxton moved his brigade to the Tennessee 
River, and during the remainder of the month it was en- 
gaged in guarding the ferries from Muscle Shoals to Flor- 
ence. In addition to this duty, we maintained a courier line 
between our camp and Pulaski. 

The First Tennessee camped for a short time at Center 
Star and Blue Water Creek. The citizens in this part of 
Alabama were very hostile toward the Union soldiers, and 
large numbers armed themselves and turned out to be regu- 
lar "bushwhackers." They would hide in some secluded 
spot and when the couriers came riding by these midnight 
murderers would fire upon them. 

During the remainder of October the regiment lost in 
killed and wounded as follows : 

Killed — Company L, W. G. B. Williams. 

IVoiDidcd — Company A, Nathaniel Robinson ; Com- 
pany K, Cornelius Smith ; Company L, Charles \'. Orton, 
^severel}-. 

Shortly after the fall of Atlanta, Jefferson Davis, the 
Southern president, left Richmond and came south to confer 
with his generals in regard to the next campaign, and also 
to arouse his soldiers to greater activity, and, if possible, 
remove that despondent feeling that Hood's army had fallen 
into since the removal of Johnson. At this meeting, Hood 
outlined his proposed plan, which was to throw his whole 
force upon Sherman's long line of communication and de- 
stroy it, thereby forcing him to abandon his "march to the 
sea," and again transfer the seat of war to Tennessee. 

The plan was approved, and as Hood seemed to be full 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 199 

of pluck and enterprise, all eyes were centered upon him. 
He at once set about putting his army "in trim" for — as it 
proved to be — his last campaign. It was some little time 
after Hood began his march north before Sherman was able 
to determine at what point he would strike his line first. 

When General Sherman became thoroughly convinced 
that Hood was going toward Tennessee, he sent General 
George H. Thomas, that grand old hero, the "Rock of 
Chickamauga," who never lost a battle, back to Nashville 
to organize a force sufficiently large to crush Hood at the 
proper time. Two divisions of the Sixteenth Corps, under 
General A. J. Smith, then in Missouri ; the Fourth Corps, 
under General D. S. Stanley ; the Twenty-third Corps, under 
General J. M. Schofield, and the two remaining brigades of 
McCook's division of cavalry of Sherman's army, were 
sent to Thomas. 

While Hood was busy getting ready for his northern 
campaign, Sherman was also making preparations for his 
grand march from Atlanta to the sea, and when he became 
fully satisfied that Hood was on his way into Tennessee, he 
cut the wires, burned the bridges in his rear, and on the 
15th day of November he left Atlanta, and of him President 
Lincoln said : "W^e know where he went in, but no one can 
tell where he will come out." 

Hood began his march the first of October. He entered 
the campaign full of hope, and with his large army he ex- 
pected to move in the rear of Sherman's army and destroy 
his long line of communication, and as far as possible feed 
his army on captured supplies. Hood also entertained the 
hope that this move north would arouse the "old-time" war 
spirit in Tennessee and Kentucky, and that thousands would 
flock to his standard, and with this additional force he could 
sweep north to the Ohio River, if he desired to do so. 

Sherman followed Hood as far north as Dalton, but did 
not propose to give up his hold on Georgia or be led ofif upon 
a "wild goose chase" if he could prevent it. Toward the 
last of October, Hood moved his army westward to Summer- 



200 HISTORY OF FfRST REGIMENT 

ville and Decatur. At the latter place he expected to cross 
the Tennessee River, but finding the place too strongly 
fortified, he now turned west and moved along the south side 
of the river to Tuscumbia, Ala. 

Croxton's small brigade was the only troops on this 
wing of the Union army, and at this time the total effective 
strength was about one thousand men, well officered, well 
equipped, and good "fighters." This veteran brigade was 
entrusted with the arduous duty of guarding the ferries and 
crossings for twelve or fifteen miles along the Tennessee 
River; and many weary days and nights were spent by the 
men of the First Tennessee in watching the movements of 
Hood's troops on the opposite shore, as they went "nosing" 
about, trying to find a good and suitable place to cross. 

By great activity and watchfulness on the part of this 
brigade, every movement of the enemy and every indication 
of his intention were promptly reported to General Thomas, 
the nearest telegraph station being at Pulaski. The mosqui- 
toes gave us almost as much trouble as Hood's men. They 
were very friendly and excellent foragers, but invariably 
wanted their "meals" free, and if they ever caught a fellow 
napping they went for him v»-ith all their might. 

The muscadine, a fruit resembling the grape, was found 
in great abundance along the Tennessee River, and the First 
Tennessee enjoyed many great feasts from this delicious 
f^uit. which grew spontaneously in the rich bottoms border- 
ing on the river. Though we were in the State of Alabama, 
yet we were guarding the crossings of our own beautiful 
Tennessee, whose waters were gathered from the hills and 
A*alleys of our own East Tennessee. Near Bridgeport, the 
Tennessee River leaves the State and. turning almost due 
south, enters Alabama and runs "away down" into the State, 
then, turning northwest, again re-enters Tennessee a short 
distance below Waterloo, Alabama. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 201 



CHAPTER XV. 

HOOD CROSSES THE TENNESSEE — RACE WITH SCHOFIELD — 
HATCH FLOGS FORREST AT CAMPBELLSVILLE — WILSON AT 
DUCK RIVER — NIGHT MARCH TO FRANKLIN — PREPARA- 
TIONS FOR BATTLE. 

On the 29th of October, the advance of Hood's army 
drove back Croxton's cavalry at Florence, Alabama, and in 
the afternoon of the same day attempted to lay their pon- 
toon bridge, but as the fire of the Union cavalry was so hot, 
the further attempt was delayed until darkness set in. Dur- 
ing the night the bridge was completed and on the morning 
of the 30th, Johnson's division of Lee's corps crossed over 
and threw up a line of works. 

Croxton, finding that the whole of Hood's army was in 
his front at Florence, fell back behind Shoal Creek, picketing 
heavily on the road leading to Florence. Early on the morn- 
ing of November 5, the First Tennessee, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Dyer, was sent out to reconnoiter the enemy's posi- 
tion on the road leading to Florence, and when about three 
miles from camp, the advance guard of the regiment was met 
and driven back by a column of rebel infantry. We learned 
afterwards that this was Johnson's division of Lee's corps. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer retired slowly, disputing every foot 
of ground, and on reaching Shoal Creek the regiment moved 
to the north side and was formed in line of battle to the left 
of the road. 

General Croxton heard the sharp firing of the First 
Tennessee, and on reaching Shoal Creek we found the bri- 
gade and two 12-pound Howitzers in line of battle along 
the north bank of the creek. The name of the battery I can- 
not now recall, but think it was a United States batterv. 



202 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

About 9:30 a. m., the enemy appeared on the opposite 
side of the creek, when our guns opened a rapid fire on 
them. The Confederates responded with six guns, and soon 
the air was full of flying missiles. The enemy's skirmishers 
repeatedly advanced to the bank of the creek, but our fire 
was so rapid and destructive that they were unable to cross, 
and were compelled to fall back and seek shelter in the 
woods. Hood's men, already feeling good over their success 
in crossing the Tennessee without serious opposition, now 
moved up in force, and attempted to cross, but our fire was 
so hot they fell back. But the artillery on both sides kept up 
the fire. 

Hood's men were so severely punished during the fore- 
noon that they made no further attempt to force a crossing 
in our front. The artillery on both sides kept up a rapid 
and vigorous fire from commanding positions, while shot and 
shell went flying thick and fast across the stream, the Union 
guns maintaining the unequal contest with great courage. 

Johnson, believing that there was a large force in his 
front, and being unable to efifect a crossing on the main road, 
sent two brigades to a ford on our left, near the mouth of 
Shoal Creek, where they crossed. This move forced Crox- 
ton to abandon his position and fall back. The enemy had 
almost gained our rear before he was discovered, conse- 
quently it was a hair-breadth escape all around. 
V When Croxton found that his left flank was turned, he 

ordered his brigade to fall back to the road. The First Ten- 
nessee was on the left of the brigade and in line along the 
north bank of the creek, with a thick growth of scrubby 
timber in its rear. The Fourth Kentucky was to our right, 
and Vv^as fighting dismounted. The Second Michigan and 
Eighth Iowa were still further to our right. When we began 
to fall back, the enemy immediately plunged into the stream 
and followed close upon our heels. 

On reaching the road, Croxton was compelled to halt 
the First Tennessee and Fourth Kentucky for the purpose 
of checking the enemy long enough to let the other two regi- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVAERY. 203 

ments and battery get to the road. The enemy soon emerged 
from the woods we had just left and moved on the quick 
step toward our thin line of battle. As they approached, 
the First Tennessee and Fourth Kentucky gave them a vol- 
ley, which for the moment staggered their line, and during 
this temporary check Croxton ordered his brigade to retire. 

Just as we reached the road our battery went dashing 
by, under "whip and spur," the enemy not being over fifty 
yards away, but could do but little with empty muskets in 
their hands. 

Croxton fell back a short distance and took up a new 
position near Sugar Creek. In this engagement the First 
Tennessee sustained a very small loss, a loss that the writer 
is unable to account for, as the regiment was in the engage- 
ment from beginning to end. It was one of the many lucky 
escapes for the regiment. Company B lost one man, Ser- 
geant Robert A. Trent. He was reported as "missing in 
action," and supposed to have been killed. Robert Adair, 
Company C, was severely wounded. This brave and gallant 
soldier received his fourth wound in this engagement, besides 
being hit with a spent ball on the retreat from Cumberland 
Gap, in 1862. Just as the order was given to fall back, he 
was struck in the left breast with a musket ball, which passed 
through his body, producing, as we thought, a mortal wound. 
Almost at the same moment his horse was killed, and both 
went down together. The Confederates were advancing, 
and were not fifty yards away, when Sergeant James B. 
Clapp and the writer dismounted, picked up their wounded 
comrade, who seemed more dead than alive, and placed him 
on the horse behind his brother. We then hurriedly mounted 
our horses and all escaped without further injury, amid a 
shower of lead. But, strange to say, this iron soldier sur- 
vived his wound and is at this date an honored citizen of 
Knox county, but much shattered in health. 

During the night the enemy recrossed the stream, and 
Croxton's pickets re-occupied the line at Shoal Creek. 

During our stay at this place the Presidential election 



204 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

of 1864 took place amid these stirring events, and the boys 
in blue were given an opportunity of expressing their choice 
between the opposing candidates. The Republicans had re- 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for President and Andrew 
Johnson, of Tennessee, for Nice-President, while the Demo- 
crats selected as their candidate for President. General Geo. 
B. IMcClellan, and for \'ice-President, Geo. H. Pendleton. 
After the votes had been counted and the result announced, 
there was great rejoicing in camp over the result, as Abra- 
ham Lincoln had received almost the unanimous vote of 
Croxton's brigade. 

Hood was compelled to wait until sufficient supplies 
could be collected to warrant the opening of an active cam- 
paign. This delay was of the greatest importance to Thomas, 
as it gave him more time to collect his scattered forces, with 
which he was expected to drive Hood from Tennessee. 
Hood's field returns, dated November 16, 1864, show an 
aggregate force present of forty-four thousand, eight hun- 
dred and thirty-two. These returns do not include Forrest's 
cavalry, at least nine thousand strong, which at that time 
was absent on a raid along the Tennessee River, but rejoined 
Hood before he started on his campaign. 

Hood entered Tennessee with three corps of infantry 
and one of cavalry, commanded respectively by Cheatham, 
Stewart, Lee and Forrest, and it is safe to say that his arniy 
^ numbered at least fifty thousand men, while Thomas did not 
have exceeding twenty-seven thousand men, of all arms, 
confronting Hood, until Nashville was reached. 

General Edward Hatch, with the Fifth Division of Cav- 
alry, was sent to Sugar Creek to reinforce Croxton's brigade, 
and, being the ranking officer present, assumed command of 
all the cavalry at that place. 

There was sharp picket fighting in our front. Our 
scouts having learned that Hood's entire army was now on 
the north side, all the roads leading toward the enemy's camp 
were blockaded with fallen timber, so as to delay hmi as 
much as possible. Rafts were sent down the river to break 



TENNESSEE VOT^UNTEER CAVALRY. 205 

his bridges, but we never knew whether they were broken 
or not. 

On the 19th, Hatch moved the most of his division out 
toward Shoal Creek, where he met Forrest, with a large 
force, moving along the west side. Coon's brigade, of 
Hatch's division, crossed and attacked Forrest, but was 
forced to re-cross the stream after some sharp fighting. This 
move developed the fact that Hood's entire army was moving 
north. 

Hood believed that the most of Sherman's army was 
with him in Georgia, and all that he would have to contend 
with would be hundred-day men, convalescent troops and 
government employes. The great race began on the 20th, 
and after the little "set-to" at Franklin, Hood became con- 
vinced that he must have been mistaken and that if hundred- 
day men and convalescent troops could do such fighting, it 
would be impossible to whip Thomas's veterans. 

On the 20th, Hatch concentrated his troops at Lexing- 
ton, and the next day moved to Lawrenceburg, Croxton's 
brigade acting as rear guard. Early on the morning of the 
23rd, the enemy drove in our pickets, but we held the town 
during the day, repulsing all charges made by his dis- 
mounted cavalry. Late in the afternoon they brought up 
their artillery and shelled us vigorously. General Thomas 
sent Schofield to Pulaski, with orders to take command of 
all the troops that were confronting Hood. The nearest in- 
fantry force to us was at Pulaski, but as Hood was pur- 
suing us on a road almost parallel to the one from Pulaski 
to Columbia, the place was evacuated and the troops ordered 
to Columbia. 

Hood, knowing the country well, did not confine his 
marching columns to one road. Lawrenceburg is sixteen 
miles west of Pulaski and thirty-three from Columbia, and 
as the greater part of Hood's army seemed to be advancing 
on the same road over which Hatch was moving, it was 
important that his army be delayed as much as possible, to 
allow Schofield's troops and wagon-train to reach Columbia 
first. 



206 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

The weather, which up to this time had been warm and 
pleasant, now changed, and rain, sleet and snow fell, making 
our marches and bivouacs unpleasant. Hood was a "hard 
pusher" as well as a "bold fighter," and hoped by a rapid 
march to get in Schofield's rear before his troops could 
reach. Duck River, and this was only prevented by a hard 
night's march. If Hood had won in the race for Columbia, 
the Union amiv would have been entirely at his mercy, and 
the capture of Xashville assured. Hatch withdrew his 
troops from Lawrenceburg and moved back toward Colum- 
bia, with Croxton's brigade covering his rear. 

During the day there were several brisk encounters as 
the enemy kept pressing our rear guard, but at no time were 
they able to "produce a panic." Thus the day wore away — 
fighting and falling back. There is one thing that can be 
truthfully said about Hood. He was the only Confederate 
general who could make his infantry keep up with his cav- 
alry on the march. We almost invariably found Forrest 
well supported by infantry. 

On the 25th, as Hatch was approaching Campbellsville, 
Forrest forced a battle on him, and for his "impudence" he 
was thoroughly and soundly whipped, and without further 
molestation Hatch moved his troops to Columbia, where our 
little army once more faced about to confront the foe. Col- 
umbia is a beautiful place, surrounded by rich and fertile 
fields and situated upon the south bank of Duck River, which 
^at this place flows almost west, with numerous fords above 
and below town. 

A heavy line of works was thrown up in front of Colum- 
bia, with a view of checking the enemy and to hold the 
place. It was Thomas's intention to meet Hood and offer 
battle at this place, but his force was so small that he aban- 
doned the idea and gave instructions to Schofield to delay 
Hood as long as possible without endangering his command. 

The cavalry was ordered to the north side of the river 
and distributed above and below Columbia for the purpose 
of guarding the fords and watching Schofield's flanks. Crox- 



TENNESSEE VOUTNTEER CAVALRY. 207 

ton's brig-ade and a portion of Hatch's division held the fords 
above Coliiml)ia, the latter extcndinf,^ his line as far east as 
the crossing of the Lewisbursj and Franklin turnpike. When 
Hood approached Columbia and found Schofield in posses- 
sion, he deployed his troops and moved up toward the Union 
works, but made no attack. 

At this place, Croxton'r, brigade was assigned tempor- 
arily to the Sixth Division of Cavalry, commanded by Gen- 
eral R. W. Johnson, and remamed in his division until Nash- 
ville was reached. In Johnson's report for the month of 
November, we find the following: "Brigadier-General 
Croxton, with his fine brigade of the First Cavalry Division, 
was also placed under my command. Of the operations of 
General Croxton 's brigade during the short time he was 
under my command, I shall not attempt particularly to 
speak, though I desire to observe that upon all occasions 
both General Croxton and the officers and soldiers of his 
command conducted themselves in a manner becoming the 
high reputation which both he and they deservedly enjoy." 

On the 26th, there was heavy artillery firing and some 
very sharp skirmishing in front of Columbia, but no general 
attack was made. In the meantime, Schofield sent part of 
his troops to the north side, with orders to entrench, but as 
this side of the river is much lower, this position was com- 
pletely commanded by the hills on the south bank. The 27th 
was comparatively quiet at Columbia, and that quietness 
there meant great activity on some other part of our line. 

While we were holding the fords and crossings along 
Duck River, east of Columbia, General James H. Wilson, our 
new chief of cavalry, reached us. He was relieved from 
the command of the Third Division, Cavalry Corps, Army 
of the Potomac, for the purpose of taking command of Gen- 
eral Sherman's cavalry. The cavalry was too much scat- 
tered and entirely too busy to receive him in the manner that 
his rank demanded, but he set a noble example to his troops 
by remaining at the front and sharing the hardships and 
dangers with his men. 



208 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

All the afternoon of the 27th we could see troops 
marchings east along the opposite side of the river. This 
information was immediately sent to Schofield at Columbia. 
Hood left two divisions of Lee's corps and all of his artil- 
lery in front of Columbia, and with the remainder of his 
army moved to his ri,<:;^lit, with a view of turning Schofield's 
position. 

On the morning of the 28th, Forrest made several 
attempts to cross at different fords between Columbia and 
the Lewisburg turnpike, but was unsuccessful. Later in the 
day he massed his troops at Huey's Mill, about seven miles 
east of Columbia, drove back the pickets and began crossing. 
General Wilson at once notified Schofield of the enemy's 
movement, and suggested the immediate evacuation of 
Columbia, as he believed that Hood, once across, could beat 
him to Franklin — and subsequent events proved that Scho- 
tield had delayed the withdrawal of his troops one day too 
long. Croxton's brigade was some distance below where 
Forrest crossed, and as it was in great danger of being out- 
ranked and captured, ^\'ilson ordered Croxton to fall back. 

Hood laid his pontoons at Davis' Ford, five miles east 
of Columbia, late in the afternoon of the 28th, and early 
the next morning his army began crossing. Wilson fell 
back to Rally Hill, where he held the enemy in check during 
the evening, but was tmable to concentrate his scattered 
troops until Hurt's Cross Roads was reached. From Rally 
HIill, a turnpike runs northwest to Spring Hill, and along 
this road Hood led his army in person the next day. With 
Schofield's small force at Columbia, it looked like he might 
as well try to dam up Duck River with a fish net as to check 
Hood's army. The road over which his army was to retreat 
was badly blockaded with wagons, but a greater obstacle 
than this was in his way just then. The most of Hood's 
army was across Duck River as soon as Schofield was, and 
stood ready to march toward Spring Hill on a shorter route. 
With all these obstacles in the way, it will be seen that 
Schofield's situation at Columbia was extremely perilous. 



n: 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 209 

and he was led to believe himself that he had delayed the 
evacuation of Columbia at least one day too long. All com- 
munication between Schofield and Wilson was cut off. 
Croxton's brigade reached the Lewisburg turnpike at Rally 
Hill about dark, and was immediately formed in line of 
battle across the road to check the enemy until all the scat- 
tered troops could close up. Wilson held his position at 
Rally Hill, on the Lewisburg turnpike, until after dark on 
the 28th, and then fell back and bivouacked near Hurt's 
Cross Roads. 

During the night, Buford joined Forrest, and early the 
next morning he moved against Wilson with all of his cav- 
alry. But Wilson made a brave and determined resistance, 
putting Croxton's brigade in the rear, with orders to contest 
every foot of ground. Wilson began to fall back along the 
Lewisburg turnpike, and just after passing Hurt's Cross 
Roads, Forrest made a fierce attack on our rear guard. 
Croxton dismounted the First Tennessee and Second Michi- 
gan, and ordered them to build a line of barricades across 
the turnpike, but before the last rail and log were laid on, 
Forrest drove in the skirmishers and charged upon our 
works. As his men approached our line, the two regiments 
opened such a rapid fire upon his troops that they broke and 
fled to the rear, leaving several dead and wounded in our 
front. We mounted and fell back, still pursued by Forrest, 
but after this he was very shy of barricades. The onlv cas- 
ualties in the First Tennessee were : Private Harvey San- 
didge, of Company L, wounded, and B. Taylor, of Company 
G, missing — supposed to be killed. 

As Wilson approached Mount Carmel, his leading bri- 
gade — Coon's — was attacked in front by a portion of For- 
rest's cavalry, who had gained his front by hard marching, 
but was repulsed and driven ofif with severe loss. About 10 
a. m., Croxton's brigade reached Mount Carmel and passed 
inside our lines. At this place the turnpike leading from 
Spring Hill to Murfreesboro crosses the Lewisburg turn- 
pike. Croxton's veteran brigade had gallantly covered the 



210 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

retreat to this place, and during that time there was hard 
and ahnost continued skirmishing-, as the enemy kept press- 
ing forward with great energy, and made several attempts 
to push around and strike our column in flank. 

Forrest left the most of his troops at jNIount Carmel. 
to hold Wilson, and with the remainder moved to the left 
toward Spring Hill, ten miles west on the Franklin and 
Columbia turnpike, where he attempted the destruction of 
our large wagon-train. Hood was moving rapidly along the 
Rally Hill turnpike, toward Spring Hill, with Cleburne's 
division of Cheatham's corps in advance. Wilson's cavalry 
had been driven back to Mount Carmel. Schofield was still 
at Columbia, but when he learned that Hood, with the n^.ost 
of his army, was moving toward his rear, he at once ordered 
Stanley, with the Fourth Corps, to Spring Hill. 

All the wagons had been sent back to Spring Hill, and 
Stanlev arrived there just in time to save them, as Forrest 
had moved with the remainder of his cavalry and driven 
in a small force of cavalry that was holding Spring Hill. 
Cheatham heard Stanley's cannon and hurried forward Cle- 
burne's division, followed by the remainder of his corps. 
Cleburne dashed upon Stanley's men like a mad man, but 
was repulsed with severe loss. There was desperate fighting 
all the afternoon, but Stanley held the place and saved our 
wagons. 

Toward night the fighting ceased, and Hood's army lay 
^in line of battle near the turnpike. The day closed with the 
Union army badly scattered. Part of the Twenty-third 
Corps was still at Columbia, with a portion of the Fourth 
Corps in supporting distance ; the remainder of the two corps 
was at Spring Hill with Stanley ; the cavalry under Wilson 
was on Stanley's left, near Mount Carmel. All of Hood's 
army was with him at Spring Hill except his artillery and 
the two divisions of Lee's corps, which were still at Colum- 
bia. Hood was no doubt puzzled and hardly knew what 
to make of the heavy firing he heard at Columbia. 

General Cox, with his division, left Columbia at dark 
and by hard marching reached Spring Hill near midnight. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 211 

As Cox's weary troops were marching along near Spring 
Hill, the camp-fires of Hood's army were dimly burning 
only a short distance away. As the Union troops were 
marching by, Hood was notified of the fact, and he sent one 
division to check the movement, but as the night was dark 
and the commander not being familiar with the ground over 
which he was to move, the enterprise failed. 

There was some light skirmishing during the night, 
but by daylight Schofield's army had passed the "danger 
line" and was now in front instead of the rear. It was evi- 
dent that someone had blundered, and the responsibility must 
be shifted upon some subordinate. General Pat Cleburne, 
one of Hood's bravest and most trusted division com- 
manders, was severely criticised, and even Cheatham, one 
of his corps commanders, did not escape censure. Cleburne, 
smarting under the reprimand of his commander, rushed into 
the battle the next day and laid down his life upon the bloody 
field of Franklin. Hood was present upon the field during 
the fighting around Spring Hill, and could see that all of his 
orders were properly and faithfully executed and that per- 
haps no one erred but himself. 

The heavy wagon-train was pushed out of Spring Hill 
during the night, followed by Schofield's troops, the last 
leaving at daylight on the 30th. Wilson's cavalry still held 
the Lewisburg turnpike, and during the night reached 
Franklin. The only works at Franklin at this time was Fort 
Grainger, a small fort built a year before, on a high elevation 
on the north bank of Harpeth River, for the purpose of 
protecting the railroad bridge and track, which runs almost 
parallel with the river some distance south. The guns of 
this fort completely commanded the town and the entire 
battlefield, and during the engagement on the afternoon of 
the 30th enfiladed Stewart's line and did fearful execution 
to his troops as they moved forward to the assault. 

It was about noon when the advance of Hood's army 
approached Franklin. Hood halted his weary troops some 
little distance out for a short rest and to allow his columns 
to close up. All morning there was great activity among 



212 HISTORY OF FIRST RlXIMENT 

those who were in charge of our lar^e wagon-train. There 
were two bridges over which they were crossing, ami the 
shouts of the teamsters, the rattle and rumbling of the 
wagons, could be heard some distance, and occasionally some 
thoughtless fellow would get excited and let out a big word 
that was in direct violation of the Third Commandment. 

As the troops came up they were assigned positions in 
the line. Wilson's cavalry was placed on the left of the 
I'nion lino, with Croxton's brigade on the right. The 
Lewisburg turnpike, as it approaches Franklin, runs par- 
allel with the Franklin aiul Columbia turnpike until it 
reaches the llarpeth River, tlicn it turns almost duo west 
and runs almost parallel with the river to where it crosses 
the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. The grountl south of 
Franklin, between the Lewisburg turnpike and the railroad, 
was at the time of the battle covered with timber, which 
furnished some protection for Stewart's infantry and For- 
rest's cavalry. Hood evidently intended to move a portion 
of his army along this route for the purpose of turning 
Schofield's left, but in this attempt he "struck a snag." 
Stewart's corps and Forrest's cavalry, when foruKxl for the 
attack. heUl this part of Hood's line, and in the grand move 
met with stubborn resistance from the two advance regi- 
ments of Croxton's brigade. 

Schofield, with his advance, reached Franklin about 
daylight, and by noon his entire command had reached the 
tbwn. Schofield selected a position on a slight elevation a 
short distance in front of Franklin, and early in the morn- 
ing picks and shovels were distributed and his weary troops 
began throwing up a single line of works, which com- 
pletely encircled the town in front, with each end extending 
to the river. The Harpeth River at this place makes a big 
bend northward, while the Union line curved outward, and 
in this bend the little town of Franklin, which \\as about 
to become historic, and its people to witness one of the 
most desperate struggles of the war, is located. Franklin 
is on the south side of the river, and was entirely withm the 
Union lines. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 213 



CHAPTER XVI. 

BATTLE or FRANKLIN — HOOD ASSAULTS THE UNION LINES 

REPULSED WITH GREAT SLAUGHTER — HIS LOSS IN OF- 
FICERS UNEQUALED IN THE WAR — DESPERATE FIGHTING 
— GENERAL STANLEY WOUNDED — SCHOFIELD WITHDRAWS 
IN THE NIGHT — HE REACHES NASHVILLE. 

The building' of earthworks was no new experience for 
Schofield's veterans, and when the picks and shovels were 
passed along the line the dirt "fairly flew," and soon a long 
line of rifle-pits was thrown up, and then the exhausted 
troops lay down and "snatched" a few hours of sleep. 
Where the line of works crossed the Franklin and Columbia 
turnpike the full width of the roadway was left open to 
allow the wagons and artillery to pass through in double 
lines, while a few rods in the rear a re-trenched line was 
built across the turnpike to command the opening and its 
approach. An old cotton-gin near the line of works was 
torn down and the timber used for head-logs. 

This hastily constructed line of works was held by the 
following troops from right to left : Kimball's division, 
Fourth Corps ; Rugers' and Reilly's division, Twenty-third 
Corps. Opdycke's brigade of Elliott's division. Fourth 
Corps, having covered the retreat from Spring Hill the 
previous night, was halted just in the rear of the Union 
works on the Franklin and Columbia turnpike. This splen- 
did brigade was composed of seven regiments, and was 
ordered to fight where its gallant commander thought it was 
needed the worst. Subsequent events proved that this bri- 
gade was halted at the right place, and its heroic fighting no 
doubt saved the day. Five batteries of artillery were also 
placed in the line. Wood's division, Fourth Corps, crossed 



214 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

to the north side, and continued the hne on Reilly's left, and 
to act as a reserve to either Hank. Then came Wilson's cav- 
alry, with Croxton's brigade of ^NlcCook's division next to 
Wood. Hatch's and Johnson's divisions were still on the 
left of Croxton. 

But let us now follow the First Tennessee on the morn- 
ing- of the 30th. As stated in the preceding chapter. Crox- 
ton's brigade was ordered to the south side early in the 
morning, with orders to take an advanced position near 
Douglass Church, on the Lewisburg turnpike. The First 
Tennessee and Second Michigan were thrown well out to 
the front to watch the movements of the enemy. During the 
morning everything was quiet save an occasional shot on the 
skirmish line. Toward noon, the advance of Forrest's cav- 
alry moved up and made an attack on Croxton's two ad- 
vanced regiments. 

The position of the two regiments was well chosen, 
there being a small stream in front which the enemy must 
cross before reaching us. and on their first advance they 
met with so hot a fire that they were forced to fall back. 
They were quickly re-formed, and advanced again, but not 
a man crossed that stream. Once more Forrest re-fonned 
his broken lines, and. with a loud "rebel yell." rode straight 
for our line, but the fire from the revolving rifles of the 
Second Michigan and the breech-loading carbines of the 
l^irst Tennessee was so hot that Forrest made no further 
attempt to force us back, and all became quiet again. For- 
rest was severely punished, and his loss must have been 
heavy, for at each volley we could see men and horses go 
down — some never to rise again. 

At I p. m.. Croxton ordered his two advanced regi- 
ments to fall back to the line selected by him. This line was 
in the woods, and extended across the Lewisburg turnpike, 
with the left resting on Harpeth River. 

Major D. W. Sanders, Adjutant-General of French's 
division. Stewart's corps, in an article on the battle of 
Franklin, says: "Stewart's corps marched on a dirt road 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 215 

east of the Columbia pike to De Graffenreid's, on the Lewis- 
burg pike, and completely turned the flank of the enemy's 
force, which were seen in line from the Winstead Hills. As 
a consequence, the enemy withdrew his troops from that 
positioii. * * * Stewart formed his line of battle one 
and a quarter miles southeast of Franklin, with Buford's and 
Jackson's divisions of cavalry on his right, extending east 
from the Lewisburg pike, with Looring, Walthlall and 
French's division on the left, and moved from DeGrafifen- 
reid's to the woodland south of McGavock's residence. 
When Stewart's line was formed, Buford and Jackson drove 
Wilson's cavalry beyond McGavock's and east from the 
Lewisburg pike across the Harpeth River." '*' * * 

At 2 p. m., Croxton's brigade was attacked by both 
infantry and cavalry, and after a brave resistance was forced 
to retire to the north side of the river. Croxton had scarcely 
reached the north bank when the pickets higher up the river 
reported that the enemy's cavalry was crossing at different 
places. Forrest, with the divisions of Buford and Jackson, 
had made one of his bold moves in order that he might gain 
our rear and destroy the large train, which was already in 
motion foi; Nashville. Wilson immediately hurled Crox- 
ton's brigade and Hatch's division upon him, realizing the 
great importance of keeping him on the south side, and after 
some severe fighting he was driven across the river with 
heavy loss. 

This was a bold and daring move, and if he had suc- 
ceeded in gaining Schofield's rear, it would have caused the 
withdrawal of a portion of Schofield's troops to meet this 
movement of Forrest. But Wilson was equal to the emer- 
gency and, realizing the importance of holding this part of 
the Union line, threw his whole force along the north bank, 
and during the remainder of the day kept Forrest on the 
south side of Harpeth River. During the afternoon there 
was some sharp fighting along our front, but at no time was 
Forrest able to effect a crossing. Wilson felt confident that 
he could now hold his position if Schofield could only take 
care of himself against the combined attack of Hood's troops. 



216 HISTORY OF JflRST REGIMENT 

While we were busy on this wing of our army, Hood 
was forming his troops in Hne of battle for the desperate 
struggle that was about to take place. The battle was fought 
in full view of each other, and at the same time each com- 
mander, from his position, could witness the battle and the 
movements of his men. Eighteen veteran brigades of in- 
fantry, with cavalry on the flanks, under Cheatham and 
Stewart, were formed in line and stood ready to move when 
the order came. 

It was a beautiful autumn afternoon, not a cloud ob- 
scured the sun, which shone in full, rich splendor upon the 
plain with its gentle slopes, over which they must pass to 
engage in the deadly fray, in the desperate effort to carry a 
single line of works, by a most reckless and daring assault. 
Possibly no battlefield of the war was so free from obstruc- 
tions as the field of Franklin. It is almost level, and on 
that afternoon presented the most imposing martial display 
of the war. 

Behind the works lay Schofield's veterans, who had 
been pounding away all the summer on the same men who 
now confronted them, but differently situated. By a blun- 
der of someone, two brigades of Wagner's division — Lane 
and Conrad — of the Fourth Corps, were halted in an ex- 
posed position a short distance in front of the Union line, 
astride the Franklin and Columbia turnpike. So when 
flood's troops rushed forward on their wild charge, these 
exposed troops delivered a volley and then made for the 
works to avoid capture by Hood's men, who were close upon 
their heels. 

It was about 4 p. m. when Hood ordered his troops to 
the assault. They advanced with a quick step, with trailed 
arms, the bright barrels flashing in the sunlight, with 
Cheatham on the left and Stewart on the right, their right 
and left flanks composing the center. As Cheatham ap- 
proached Wagner's line, his men opened fire, which checked 
him for a few minutes onh-. As these two brigades came 
swarming over the works, word was quickly passed along 




■f ,t Jy 



BATTLEFIELD 

FRANKLIN TENK 

Tfruon Forces 

iiridei Maj Gen Schofteli 

Contfdvvate Forces 

•ujuier Lieut Gen Hood 

Nov VIBM 



MAP OK THK I5ATTI-KKJKI.I> OF FKAiNKLIN 



i 



V 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 217 

the line for the T.'nion troops to withhold their fire until 
they conkl pass the works. 

Already the black-throated monsters from Fort Grain- 
ger, on the north bank of the river, were raking Stewart's 
line with an enfilading fire, cutting down his troops like 
grain before the reaper. As the fleeing- troops came swarm- 
ing over the works at the center, the men in the trenches 
became confused, and were carried away by the excitement 
and confusion for at least three hundred yards. This was 
the key to the position, and Hood had gained it without 
serious fighting, and now held the main approach to the 
bridge, over which the Union troops must retreat if de-, 
feated. 

This breach was on both sides of the turnpike, and 
through it Hood's troops rushed, capturing two batteries, 
and with this arlvantage and his superior force, it promised 
an easy victory and inspired his troops to greater activity. 
The remainder of the Union line was held firmly, and the 
reserves, under C/eneral r)pdycke, and all the routed troops, 
were thrown into the breach at once, and then there began 
one of the most desperate struggles of the war. Here the 
fighting was hanrl to hand, and of the most desperate char- 
acter. The fighting at this point was for the possession of 
the works, anrl it was maintained with great fury and stub- 
bornness, in which men fought with clubbed muskets, and, 
with bayonets baptized in blood, they flrove Hood's veterans 
from the works anrl saved the rlay. 

The Union troops, in this short but desperate struggle, 
recaptured all the guns and soon changed the direction of 
their death-dealing missiles. They also captured ten battle- 
flags and several hundred prisoners, showing that Hood 
must have throv/n a large force into this gap. General Pat 
Cleburne, one of the most desperate fighters in Hood's 
army, fell a few rods in front of the works, near the center. 
During the fearful struggle at the center. Hood was as- 
saulting our line from end to end, and the terrible discharges 
cf the artillery and the rapidity and destructiveness of the 



218 insTouv OK nust uko.imknt 

musketry tiro was hardly oiiualod in tlic history of modern 
warfare. The tirinj:: was si^ rapid that the smoke ahnost 
obscured the field and shut out from view the assault int;- 
columns as they rushed madly into the very "jaws of 
death." 

The battle raided with unabated fury from 4 to about 8 
p. m.. and duriuii the desperate chari^es the tlai;s of the 
enemy could be seen near the works by the briiiht tlashes of 
the artillery and small arms. The shouts of the chariiiui;- 
columns, minj^^led with the groans of the wounded and dying-, 
will never be forgotten by those who sti.x-»d shoulder to shoul- 
der ii; the deadly struggle on that beautiful November after- 
noon in 1S04. Hood's troops assaulted the I'nion lines with 
a recklessness never displayed before, and the great loss of 
officers ami men attest the great gallantry and sacritice on 
the bUxHly tieUl of bVanklin, and after all was lost they 
sullenly retired. 

From Schotield's headquarters he could witness the 
tig;hting' of hts entire command, and at one time, when it 
seemed that Wilson's cavalry was about to be routed and 
his left turned, he sent part of Wood's division to his sup- 
port, but before reaching- him. Forrest was driven back, and 
he was unable to g:et in his rear or turn his flank. 

Schofield makes the following- mention of this engage- 
ment in his report : "A short time before the infantry at- 
tack commenced, the enemy's cavalry forced a crossing- about 
three miles above Franklin, and drove back our cavalry, for 
a time seriously threatening- our trains, which were accu- 
mulating: on the north bank and moving toward Nashville. 
I sent General Wilson orders, which he had. however, an- 
ticipated, to drive the enemy back at all hazards, and moved 
a brig:ade of General Wood's division to support him if 
necessary. At the moment of the tirst decisive repulse of 
the enemy's infantry. I received the most gratifying intelli- 
gence that General Wilson had driven the rebel cavalry back 
across the river. This rendered my immediate left and rear 
secure for the time beinir." 



I 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 210 

Firing was keyA up all alon^ the line until about lo 
p. m., when all became quiet, except an occasional shot from 
the skirmish line. Schofield could not be driven, and Hood 
would not sound the retreat, and even after darkness had 
settled over the field, he ordered Johnson's division of Lee's 
corps from his reserves to assault the works held by Ruji^er's 
and Kimball's division. This division made a determined 
effort to carry the works, but failed. Walthall's division of 
Stewart's corps was confronted by Casement's brigade, 
which was armed with repeating rifles, and here the carnage 
was fearful. 

Hood's loss was frightful, and the next morning the 
battlefield presented a horrible picture. Officers and men 
lay in heaps in front of the works, cold in death, while 
wounded men, horses and broken guns attested the work of 
destruction by the unerring aim of the western men. Hood's 
loss in officers was exceedingly heavy, and from the best 
figures obtainable his loss was as follows : Major-General 
P. R. Cleburne, Brigadier-Generals O. F. Strahl, John 
Adams, S. R. Gist and H. B. Granberry. In addition to the 
five generals killed, who commanded divisions and brigades, 
he lost six colonels, two lieutenant-colonels, three majors 
and two captains, who commanded regiments. Line officers 
and enlisted men killed, seventeen hundred and fifty. Of- 
ficers wounded, one major-general, five brigadier-generals, 
fifteen colonels, nine lieutenant-colonels, five majors and two 
captains. Missing, two colonels, three majors and four cap- 
tains. Captured, one brigadier-general. Enlisted men 
wounded, thirty-eight hundred ; missing, seven hundred and 
two; making an agregate loss in Hood's army of six thou- 
sand, two hundred and fifty two. Thirty-three stands of 
colors were also captured. 

The loss in Schofield's army was as follows : Killed, 
one hundred and eighty-nine ; wounded, one thousand and 
thirty-three; missing, eleven hundred and four; making an 
aggregate loss of two thousand, three hundred and twenty- 
six. The most of the missing were from the two exposed 



220 JIISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

brig;ades of Wagner's division. Fourth Corps. Among the 
Avonndod on the Union side was Major-General D. S. Stan- 
lev, commanding the Fourth Corps. He was helping to rally 
the men near where the breach was made, and during the 
fierce fighting at this point he received a severe wound in the 
neck. General Stanley was Rosecrans' chief of cavalry in 
1863. and as such led us through the TuUahoma campaign 
and on to Chickamauga. but before the battle he was forced 
to relinquish the command of account of sickness. 

The battle of Franklin, for the numbers engagetl. was 
the grandest and hardest fought battle of the Civil War. 
The cannon of Fort Grainger continued to bellow out in 
tones not to be misunderstood, antl as the shells went whist- 
ling into the darkness beyond the Harpeth. they provoked 
no rei")ly from the enemy. 

The casualties in the First Tennessee were as follows: 

Killed and Mortal! y H'oiindi-d — Company E. Corporal 
Joseph A. Deal, mortally woundetl antl left on the field, date 
of death unknown; Company K. John T. Baxter; Company 
L, Jacob Bacon. 

JVoinidcd — Company A, Charles Dooley and Calloway 
Collins, severely wounded and left on the field ; Company D, 
John W. Legg; Company L, Corporal W. H. H. Bacon. 

Alexander H. Stephens, in his history of the United 
States, makes the following mention of the battle of Frank- 
lin : "In this battle Hood gained a signal victory, though 
at considerable loss." 

W'hen the last of Schofield's troops had been witlnlrawn 
from the south side, the bridges were fired by Wood's tli- 
vision. Fourth Corps, and as the flames arose from the burn- 
ing bridges the enemy opened a heavy fire from his artillery. 
From our position east of town we could see the light of 
the burning bridges and hear the roar of the cannon, as the 
sound floated out on the cold, frosty morning air. 

The First Tennessee moved from its position, with the 
remainder of \\'ilson's cavalry, at 4:30 a. m., December i, 
and covered the retreat of Schofield to Nashville. Forrest 



TliNNESSEE VOI.UNTEIiK CAVALRY. 221 

followed and skirmished with the rear guard to Brentwood, 
Near this place, Stewart's brigade of Hatch's division had a 
sharp engagement with Buford's division. From Brent- 
wood, Johnson's division and Croxton's brigade were moved 
east to the Nolensville turnpike, and then, turning north, 
moved on toward Nashville. Late in the afternoon we 
were halted two miles from Nashville and ordered to build 
a temporary line of works across the turnpike. 

After completing the works, our horses were sent to the 
rear and a fresh supply of ammunition issued to the men. 
During the night the enemy moved up near our position, but 
made no attack, though there was considerable picket firing 
during the night in our front. Early the next morning we 
moved into Nashville, and were placed in rifle-pits on the 
left of Thomas's line, between the Murfreesboro turnpike 
and Cumberland River. 

On the 3rd, Wilson's cavalry was relieved by Steed- 
man's troops and ordered to the north side of the river, to 
continue the line on the left and to watch Thomas's long 
line of communication with Louisville. All the crossings for 
some distance above and below Nashville were kept guarded 
by the cavalry. Croxton's brigade went into camp nearly 
opposite the works on the south side, and remained in that 
position until the nth. During this time there was great 
activity going on in Wilson's camps, as every effort was 
being made to put this arm of the service in an efficient con- 
dition for the next move. 

All broken-down horses were turned in, and the govern- 
ment corrals and the adjacent country searched for horses. 
By these means, Wilson almost doubled the strength of his 
cavalry. Horses were newly shod and extra shoes fitted 
ready for an emergency. Clothing was issued to the men 
and the old ones and their inhabitants consigned to the 
flames. Thomas intended to move out and attack Hood as 
soon as his cavalry could be mounted and his troops con- 
centrated. When Schoficld's troops reached Nashville they 
were placed in the lines that were already built in the follow- 



222 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

ing order: Twotity-tliird Corps on the left and adjoining: 
Steedman, the Fonrth Corps in the center, and the Sixteenth 
Corps, from the Army of the Tennessee, on the right. This 
splendid corps of hardy Western men muler General A. J. 
Smith was by Sherman's orders sent to Thomas from Mis- 
souri and reached Nashville on the ist day of December. 

Notwithstanding- Hood'-^ great defeat at Franklin on 
the 30th he moved his army on toward Nasiiville. and on 
the 3rd day of December drove in Thomas's outposts and 
placed his army in position in front of the city. The line 
selected by him was on the high ground on the southeast 
side of Brown's Creek, extending westwardly from the 
Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad across the Nolensville, 
Franklin and Granny White turnpikes, crossing the spurs 
of Montgomery Hill; thence deflecting southwest along the 
high groud east from the llillsboro turnpike, and thence 
westwardly across this turnpike to a high hill immediately 
west of the Hillsboro turnpike to Sugar Tree Creek. 

In addition to this line, he built numerous detached 
works still southwest, extending across Richland Creek and 
the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad and west of the 
Harding turnpike. These were the works first struck by 
Wilson's cavalry on the morning of the 15th, as will be stated 
further on. This line was well chosen and was a position of 
great strength. Into this line of works Hood placed his 
troops in the following order : Cheatham on the right, 
ee in the center and Stewart on the left, with Forrest's cav- 
alry on his tianks. From the most reliable figures obtainable 
it is safe to say that Hood had at least forty-two thousand 
men in the trenches at Nashville. 

On the 5th. Hood detached Bate's division of Cheat- 
ham's corps and part of Forrest's cavalry and sent them to 
destroy the railroad and to capture Murfreesboro. Three 
block-houses were captured and the bridges burned, but no 
serious harm was inflicted upon the track. On the 6th. Bate 
was reinforced by two additional brigades of infantry and 
the next morning approached iSIurfreesboro. Rousseau was 



t 



TENNESSEE VOI^UNTEER CAVALRY. 223 

holdinj^ the place with eif^ht thousand men and as Bate de- 
chned to make a direct attack, Milroy was ordered to move 
out and engage him. After some sharp fighting, Bate was 
routed and driven from the field with considerable loss. 
Bate's troops were recalled, but Forrest continued to oper- 
ate between Nashville and Murfreesboro. 

Governor Harris and R. L. Caruthers accompanied 
Hood's army on this "wild campaign," expecting that Nash- 
ville would be captured and Caruthers, who, it is said, had 
been elected Governor to succeed Harris, would be inducted 
into ofiice, amid the boom of cannon. This distinguished 
citizen was doomed to disappointment, as a loyal son of Ten- 
nessee was occupying that honorable position, and no doubt 
it was a sad disappointment to be "so near and yet so far" 
from this coveted prize and position of honor. 

General Thomas had hoped to be ready to attack Hood 
sooner than he did, but was delayed in procuring horses for 
his artillery and remounts for his cavalry. Grant was dissat- 
isfied at what seemed to him a useless delay, and urged him 
to attack at once, but "Old Pap," as the boys called him, 
knew more about the situation than he did. The weather, 
which previous to the arrival of the troops had been good, 
became, shortly after reaching Nashville, exceedingly cold 
for that latitude. About the 8th, a driving storm of rain and 
sleet set in. This continued for about twenty-four hours, 
freezing as it fell, making it utterly impossible for the cav- 
alry to move and exceedingly difficult for the infantry to 
move about in the performance of camp duty, so slippery was 
the surface. It was a war with the elements, as well as the 
enemy, and it is very doubtful if Thomas could have won a 
victory under the circumstances. But our grand "old hero," 
who had never lost a battle, had the entire confidence of his 
troops, and his true character seemed to shine brighter on 
this occasion than ever before. He won the first Union vic- 
tory in the West, at Mill Springs. At Murfreesboro, on that 
terrible December day when all seemed lost, he set a noble 
example, and was designated "the lion-hearted hero, calm 



224 HISTORY OF FIRST RKGIMENT 

amid the fury of battle." At bloody Chiekaniauga. when 
the Union army was being- swept from the field, he turned at 
bay and was ever afterwards called "The Rock of Chieka- 
niauga." Later on. to the same commander, while at Chatta- 
nooga, he said. "We will holil the town till we starve." 

General Thomas was a Southern man, but the govern- 
ment did not have a more loyal or faithful soldier in its 
ranks than this grand old hero. To show that he was faith- 
ful and true to the L'nion and its flag, and free from all petty 
desires, he vielded a ready acquiescence in the selection of 
General Sherman to command the Military Division of the 
^Mississippi, his iimior in years, experience and commission. 
and at no time his superior as a commander, lie executed 
all the orders of his superior faithfully and co-operated with 
him in all plans and movements of his army. He was no 
army pet. consequently was never on favored duty of any 
kind, and possibly no commander ever had so few leaves of 
absence. The fame of General Thomas is so well known 
that comment is vmnecessary. He was always at the front. 

Shennan having severed his connection with the forces 
in Tennessee, Thomas received all of his orders direct from 
Grant. Thomas was in command of all the troops operating 
in the Departments of the Cumberland and Ohio, and to him 
was committed the task of driving Hood's army from Ten- 
nessee. The same army that had confronted Sherman in 
Georgia was now before Thomas at Nashville. The audacity 
ahd boldness of Hood's movement was calculated to depress 
the spirits of his men. for if defeated, there was no army 
close enough to come to their rescue. Beside all of this, 
Thomas's army was badly scattered, and when once collected 
the ofificers and men were strangers to each other, save the 
uniform and the old flag. In Hood's ranks were thousands 
of Tennesseans who were glad to press their native soil once 
more, and when he marched south, hundreds continued to 
press the soil of their native State while his broken and 
shattered anny moved south. 




(■■ i'.\ Ki;.\ I, <i 1:0. n. J iio.MA.- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 225 



CHAPTER XVII. 

BATTLE OF NASHVILLE — A GREAT UNION VICTORY — THE GREAT 
CAVALRY BATTLE OF THE WEST — WILSOn's CAVALRY 

CAPTURING FORTS — HOOD's ARMY WRECKED THE DEFEAT 

AND ROUT — CAPTURING PRISONERS AND GUNS — THE PUR- 
SUIT. 

During this extreme cold weather the soldiers of both 
armies were trying to keep warm around the blazing camp- 
fires, while the men on the picket-lines stood shivering like a 
fellow with the ague. On the 12th there were some signs 
of a "thaw-out," consequently General Thomas ordered Wil- 
son to move his cavalry from Edgefield to the south side of 
the river and take up a position on the right of his line. The 
earth was still covered with ice and it was with the greatest 
difficulty that Wilson was able to reach the position assigned 
him. This move of Wilson thoroughly convinced General 
Thomas that he could not use his cavalry so long as the ice 
remained upon the ground; besides, the horses could not 
draw the artillery and wagons over the slippery surface. This 
caused another delay, and as we were unable to put up our 
tents on account of the frozen condition of the ground we 
passed several very uncomfortable nights on the cold, icy 
ground, with the sky for a roof and old Mother Earth for 
a bed. 

The position of Hood's army around Nashville re- 
mained the same, and with the exception of occasional picket- 
firing nothing of special importance occurred from the ist 
to the 14th. The weather, which had entirely stopped all 
offensive operations, began to moderate, and by the 14th the 
ground had thawed out sufficiently to enable men and horses 
to stand up. General Thomas, believing that there would 



226 HISTORY OF FIRST RFXIMENT 

be a general "thaw-out," called a meeting- of his corps com- 
manders on the afternoon of the 14th and laid before them 
his plan of attack, and after a thorough discussion until all 
fully understood it, special held order No. 342 was issued. 
This order contained his plan of battle. 

The formation of the Union troops from loft to right 
was as follows : General Steedman. commanding the Dis- 
trict of the Etowah, formed the left : General Wood's Fourth 
and General Schofield's Twenty-third Corps, the center; 
General Smith's Sixteenth Corps and Wilson's cavalry, the 
right. Brigadier-General Miller, commanding the garrison 
of Nashville, and General Donaldson, with the quarter- 
master's troops, occupied the interior line. 

General Wilson formed his cavalry in the following 
order: Hatch's Fifth Division on the right of the Sixteenth 
Corps; Croxton's brigade of ivlcCook's First Division to the 
right of Hatch. The other two brigades — Second and Third 
— and Eighteenth Indiana Battery, were in Kentucky after 
General Lyon, who had crossed the Cumberland River near 
Clarksville and was trying to reach the Louisville & Nash- 
ville Railroad at some point north of Nashville. General 
Jolmson's Sixth Division was on Croxton's right — the right 
of his division extending to the Cumberland River. General 
Knipe's Seventh Division was fonned on the Harding turn- 
pike, inside of the works, and during the early part of the 
V morning was held in reserve, to support either Hatch or 
Smith. 

Hood had placed a battery on the extreme left of his 
line, near Cumberland River. This battery was protected by 
light earthworks and supported by cavalry, and as Johnson 
advanced on the morning of the 15th it shelled him vigor- 
ously, but the fun was soon spoiled when Lieutenant-Com- 
mander LeRoy Fitch, who commanded the gunboats, began 
enfilading this part of Hood's line. The tremendous dis- 
charges of his heavy guns could be heard above the rattling 
fire of the carbines and the light 3-inch Rodmans of Wilson's 
cavalry, and no doubt contributed largely to the demoraliza- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 227 

tion of this part of Hood's line, which was held by Chal- 
mer's division, supported by infantry. 

The effective force of General Wilson's corps on the 
morning of the 15th was twelve thousand, five hundred 
men and eighteen guns. It was a fine body of men, but very 
deficient in horses, many being wholly unfit for active ser- 
vice. Reveille was sounded at 4 a. m. on that chilly morn- 
ing, and by 6 o'clock the men were in line ready to move. 
A heavy fog hung over the two armies during the morning. 
This and the unevenness of the ground completely con- 
cealed the movements of the Union army. The fog lifted 
about 9 o'clock, revealing to Hood and his shivering soldiers 
a grand and magnificent military display, as the solid lines 
of blue moved forward in splendid order, with colors flying 
and bands playing. The house-tops in Nashville and the hills 
were covered with people, all eager to witness the display 
and battle, while from Montgomery and Overton hills 
Hood's troops could witness all of our movements ; and to 
them no doubt it was an unexpected revelation. Hood, it 
seems, was totally unaware of any intention on the part of 
Thomas to attack his position and especially his left flank, 
for on advancing toward his position during the morning 
we came upon unfinished works. 

Steedman, on the left, was the first to move out and 
begin the attack. This heavy demonstration on Hood's right 
was not intended as a real attack, though it had that effect, 
and he was led to believe that this part of his line was to be 
attacked in force. As soon as Steedman had completed his 
movement. General Smith, commanding the Sixteenth Corps, 
moved out. Then the long, dark lines of Wilson's cavalry 
began moving forward on the extreme right and commenced 
the grand movement of the day. 

Croxton's brigade had been standing in line of battle 
during the morning just outside of the entrenchments near 
the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad and on the right of 
Hatch's division. It was about 10 a. m. when the order came 
to move. Croxton threw out a strong line of skirmishers 



22S HISTORY or I'lUST REGIMENT 

and moved his brigade out between the Charlotte turnpike 
and the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad. The skir- 
mishers moved forward, closely followed by the bri,i;ade, 
and soon the sharp firing' in front warnctl us that the enemy's 
advance had been struck. The brigade continued to advance, 
and tluring the foreiuxtn there was some very sharp skir- 
mishing in Croxton's front. 

Just after crossing Richland Creek, the enemv opened 
fire on Croxton's brigade from a battery posteil on the 
Charlotte turnpike. Croxton wheeled the Second Michigan 
to the right, and supj^orting it with the Kighth Iowa, moved 
toward the hill on which the enemy were posted, and after 
a few volleys from the revolving rifies of the Second Michi- 
gan, the enemy fell back. This move turned the enemy's 
position in front of Johnson's division on the Charlotte turn- 
pike. Croxton received an order from \\'ilsc>n directing him 
to remain and support Johnson's division, which was on 
his right, and who had not yet gotten into position owing 
to the roughness of the country and the long distance he had 
to move. 

During the time Hatch's division, which was just to our 
left, was driving the enemy along the Harding turnpike, 
and after crossing Richland Creek the Twelfth Tennessee 
Cavalry. Colonel Spaulding commanding, made a gallant 
saber charge, routing the enemy, capturing forty or fifty 
vprisoners and General Chalmers' headquarters train, con- 
sisting of fourteen wagons, which containetl his records, 
baggage and safe. 

In perhaps no battle of the war did cavalry and infantry 
move forward on the same line and join in the desperate 
work so eagerly and with so much vigor and mianimity. 
Often it was a race to see who would be the first to cross 
the "dreaded ditch," and if the ground was too rough to 
charge mounted, Wilson's troopers would dismount and with 
a yell charge the rifle-pits. This part of Hood's line was 
held by infantry and cavalry, and during the day some sharp 
fighting occurred on this part of the line. Wilson wheeled 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 229 

Hatch's division to the left and re-estabHshed his connection 
with the infantry. In makinj? this move his right flank 
struck the enemy's line on the flank and rear, completely 
enveloping it. 

Stewart was in command of Hood's left, and during 
the morning he found that Thomas was working toward 
his left and beyond his works. He therefore set his troops 
to work early in the morning building works and extending 
his line farther to his left. Finding that his own troops 
could not man the lines, he called for reinforcements, and 
Hood sent him Johnson's division of Lee's corps. These 
works were west of the Hillsboro turnpike, and about i 
p. m. Hatch dismounted his men, assaulted and captured 
one of these advanced redoubts, containing four guns and 
some three hundred men. This was the first fort captured 
from Hood, and was accomplished with dismounted cavalry. 
Im.mediately after the capture of this fort, Hatch's division 
charged a second line and captured another four-gun battery, 
with its infantry support. The captured guns were wheeled 
around and used upon the retreating enemy. In the capture 
of this last fort, McMillan's brigade of AlcArthur's division, 
Sixteenth Corps, claimed a part of the honor, but as the 
guidons of Hatch's division were the first over the works, 
the honor and captured guns were credited to Hatch's brave 
men by McMillan's brigade. 

\\^hile these successful movements were going on, Wil- 
son's cavalry had not yet reached Hood's true flank on ac- 
count of the extension of Stewart's line to his left. Late in 
the afternoon Schofield's Twenty-third Corps was moved to 
the right of the Sixteenth Corps, so that Wilson could oper- 
ate more freely upon Hood's left and rear. Shortly after 
reaching this position. Cooper's brigade of Couch's division, 
Twenty-third Corps, assaulted and captured a line of works 
near the Hillsboro turnpike. In this brigade were the Third 
and Sixth Tennessee Volunteers, our former companions 
while in Morgan's Seventh Division, Army of the Ohio. 

Croxton was ordered to move his brigade from the 



230 HISTORY OK FIRST REGIMENT 

Charlotte turnpike across the country to the Hillsboro turn- 
pike. In making this move Croxton's brigade skirmished 
most all the way, and shortly after crossing the Harding 
turnpike Croxton encountered a portion of Chalmers' di- 
vision, which had been in Johnson's front but was now try- 
ing to reach Hood's left. The First Tennessee was in the 
advance and was marching left in front, and shortly after 
dark was fired upon by the enemy, who, by the flash of their 
guns, seemed to be either behind a stone wall or in rifle- 
pits. General Croxton immediately ordered Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Dyer to dismount his regiment and dislodge the enemy. 
The order was promptly obeyed, and in a few minutes the 
regiment was over the fence and in line ready to move. At 
the command "forward," the men raised the yell and moved 
forward under a brisk fire, and in a few minutes reached 
the stone wall, and springing over succeeded in capturing a 
portion of the Fifth ^Mississippi Cavalry. The prisoners 
were sent to the rear, and moving to the opposite side, again 
the regiment opened a brisk fire on some troops that were 
posted in the woods a short distance in its front. In a short 
time the enemy's fire slackened and soon they fell back, 
and all became quiet again. 

The only casualties in the First Tennessee were two 
men wounded, as follows : Thomas Jones. Company G, and 
Wiley ^lilligan. Company I. 
^ Darkness having closed the operations for the day and 
shut out from view the contending forces, Croxton's brigade 
was ordered to bivouac near the Hillsboro turnpike. This 
was a hard day on us. as we had been in the saddle since 
early morning. 

The operation of Tliomas's army on the first day of 
battle was a grand success and was rewarded by the capture 
of seventeen pieces of artillery and twelve hundred prisoners, 
besides large quantities of small arms and equipments. Wil- 
son's cavalry had fought during the day infantry and cav- 
alry, had cleared their front, covered the extreme right of 
Thomas's infantry, and not only enveloped Hood's flank, 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 231 

but had taken it in reverse. Hood's flanks were much 
stronger than his center, and during the day Wilson's cav- 
alry had completely turned his left and swept everything 
before them, and at night bivouacked near his line of retreat. 

During the night Hood withdrew his army and took up 
a new position south of the one he occupied on the morning 
of the 15th. This new line was much shorter, and extended 
from Overton's Hill on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad, 
west across the Franklin and Granny White turnpikes, 
thence almost due south along a range of hills almost paral- 
lel with the Granny White turnpike, and reaching nearly to 
the Brentwood Hills. Hood kept his weary troops working 
all night digging rifle-pits and building forts, so by morning 
he had constructed a much stronger line than the one just 
abandoned. 

The Union army bivouacked on the cold ground, feel- 
ing assured of a complete victory the next day. The early 
part of the morning of the i6th was spent in reconnoitering 
the enemy's position. The ground on Hood's left was very 
hilly, consequently Wilson moved his troops forward dis- 
mounted and by noon was east of the Granny White turn- 
pike and had completely turned Hood's left. During these 
early movements there was some sharp fighting, but no 
ground was lost. Wilson's cavalry forced back the enemy, 
completely turning his left flank, and was now in possession 
of the hills through which the Granny White turnpike runs, 
completely cutting off Hood's line of retreat by this route in 
case of disaster. Stewart made several attempts during the 
forenoon to drive back Wilson's dismounted cavalry and re- 
take the ground lost, but was unsuccessful and was repulsed 
without difficulty. 

Let us now turn to the Union left and see what was go- 
ing on there. Generals Steedman and Wood had moved for- 
ward early in the morning and discovered the enemy thor- 
oughly entrenched on Overton's Hill. At 3 p. m. the works 
were assaulted by Post's brigade, Beatty's division of Wood's 
Fourth Corps, supported by Streight's brigade, of the same 



232 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

corps, and Grosvenor's brigade of white troops, and Thomp- 
son's brigade of colored troops, all of Steedman's command. 
The assault was made with great courage, but the fire was 
so destructive that the two assaulting columns were repulsed 
with severe loss. Colonel Post being among the severely 
wounded. 

The two assaulting columns were re-formed at the foot 
of the hill for another charge. Smith, Schofield and Wilson 
now assaulted Hood's center and left with great vigor, 
sweeping everything before them. The shout of the vic- 
torious troops on the right was caught up by those of Wood 
and Steedman, and again they pushed forward upon the 
enemy on Overton's Hill, this time driving everything be- 
fore them and capturing the works. The shout of victory 
was heard by Thomas's charging troops, which was taken 
up and responsive cheers heaid from one end of the Union 
line to the other. Hood's lines were broken, and there being 
no reserves to restore order or save the day, his troops from 
one end of his line to the other threw away knapsacks and 
guns and rushed for the rear, which at that time was a long 
way off. 

Hood's troops rushed toward the Franklin turnpike in 
great confusion, and soon lost all semblance of organization 
and retreated in the wildest confusion. General Wilson's 
command was delayed in the pursuit, caused by the troops 
being so far from the led hoises, as the men leading them 
made slow progress over the hills and dense forests. Crox- 
ton's brigade, which had been in reserve, was now moved 
to the right of Hammond's brigade of Knipe's division, and 
in making this move captured several prisoners. 

As soon as Wilson's men gained their horses the pur- 
suit was begun, with the commands of Hatch. Knipe and 
Croxton on the Granny White turnpike and Johnson on 
the Hillsboro turnpike. Everything indicated a rout, and 
after moving a short distance the leading division — Hatch's 
— encountered Chalmers' division about dark, well posted 
behind a rail barricade across the turnpike. Hatch dis- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 233 

mounted his division and charged the enemy, driving hirtl 
from his position. General Rvicker was wounded and cap- 
tured, besides several prisoners and a Confederate flag. In 
this engagement the Twelfth Tennessee, Union, fought the 
Twelfth Tennessee, Confederate, and in the darkness and 
during the hand-to-hand fighting the Twelfth Tennessee, 
Union, succeeded in capturing General Rucker, who was in 
command of a Tennessee brigade, also his flag. 

The line of Hood's retreat revealed the fact that his 
army had retreated in great haste, as the turnpikes were 
thickly strewn with guns and accoutrements, while he made 
no effort to carry off his wounded or bury the dead. Hood's 
veteran army, which had been engaged in all the hard- 
fought battles in Tennessee and on the Georgia campaign — 
"one hundred days under fire" — was wrecked upon the field 
of Nashville. 

In perhaps no battle of the war was there such a small 
loss of life to the victors. The Union troops repeatedly 
assaulted the enemy's lines, and but one assault was unsuc- 
cessful, and that was made upon the strongest position held 
by Hood, on Overton's Hill on the Union left. And it is 
doubtful if that would have been a failure had not the gal- 
lant leader of the main column fallen at the critical moment, 
when the presence of a brave and determined leader is so 
important. The battle moved on vigorously from beginning 
to end, the cavalry and infantry vieing with each other in 
the effort to carry everything in their front, reflecting the 
highest type of generalship and the displaying of that true 
courage due Thomas and his brave soldiers. 

This was called the great cavalry battle of the west, and 
it is exceedingly doubtful if there was a single battle of the 
war where so much gallant and meritorious service was ren- 
dered by that arm of the service. The first fort captured 
at the opening of the battle was accomplished by Wilson's 
brave troops fighting as flat-footed infantry, and proving 
beyond a doubt that if General Hooker had been present at 
the battle of Nashville he could have seen the remains of 



234 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

several dead cavalrymen. This brave old hero was credited 
with the remark, "Who ever saw the body of a dead cavalry- 
man?'' or that he would pay Iwenty-five dollars for the "dead 
body of a cavalryman." 

The fruits of this battle were four thousand, five hun- 
dred prisoners, among whom were Major-General Ed John- 
son and Brio^adier-Gcnerals H. R. Jackson, T. B. Smith aiid 
E. W. Rucker ; all of the wounded left upon the field, fifty- 
four pieces of artillery, together with thousands of small 
arms and accoutrements and twenty-live battle-flags. The 
loss in killed and wounded on each side was light when the 
numbers engaged are taken into consideration. General 
Thomas reported a loss in killed, wounded and missing of 
three thousand and sixty-one. The loss in Wilson's cavalry 
was three hundred and twenty-nine. 

It is said that Hood issued an order on the morning of 
the i6th for his army to retreat, but he could not withdraw 
under fire, so that afternoon his routed and disorganized 
army was seen flying southward from the battlefield. Let 
us now turn to the pursuit. After the defeat of Chalmers 
on the night of the i6th, Wilson deemed it unwise to con- 
tinue the pursuit, as the night was very dark and the men 
and horses completely exhausted from the hard day's work. 
The cavalry bivouacked for the night as follows : Hatch, 
Croxton and Knipe on the Granny White turnpike, and 
Johnson on the Hillsboro turnpike. 

Early the next morning the pursuit was continued by 
the cavalry, followed by the infantry. At Brentwood, Crox- 
ton's brigade was ordered to take the Wilson turnpike, John- 
son's division the Hillsboro turnpike, while Hatch and Knipe 
moved their divisions along the Franklin turnpike. Just a 
short distance beyond Brentwood, Knipe began skirmishing 
with Hood's rear guard, which was kept up until Hollow 
Tree Gap was reached. Here the rear guard of the routed 
army made a stand and offered battle. The position was 
handsomely carried by Knipe's division, supported by Hatch. 
The enemy was routed and fell back rapidly toward Frank- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 235 

lin. In this spirited engagement the enemy lost by capture 
four hundred and thirteen officers and enHsted men and two 
flags. 

Croxton's brigade skirmished with the rear guard the 
most of the way to Franklin. Hood made a show of re- 
sistance at Franklin, but his flanks being turned he fell back 
toward Columbia. Croxton and Hatch moved to the left 
of Franklin, swimming Harpeth River at McGavock's Ford, 
and encamped for the night near Douglass Church, on the 
Lewisburg turnpike. In making this move the enemy was 
encountered only in small force, but we succeeded in cap- 
turing about one hundred and thirty prisoners. Johnson 
crossed below and Knipe in front of Franklin. Hood, finding 
his flanks turned, abandoned the place, which contained all 
of his wounded and a large quantity of rations. 

The little town of Franklin presented a sight that to be 
seen would never be forgotten. All public buildings, 
churches, school-houses, stores and even shops and private 
dwellings had been converted into hospitals, into which the 
wounded had been crowded after the desperate battle of 
November 30. A good many of our own wounded were 
among the sufferers in the crowded hospitals and no doubt 
many of the wounded of both armies died for want of proper 
attention. 

Wilson continued the pursuit south from Franklin with 
great energy, moving on all the roads, and continued to 
harass the flanks and rear of Hood's army. Johnson, who 
was moving on the Carter's Creek turnpike, turned Hood's 
right flank and dashed on in the direction of Spring Hill to 
strike the retreating army at that point. Croxton was mov- 
ing on the Lewisburg turnpike, driving the enemy rapidly 
along that thoroughfare, while Hatch and Knipe pushed him 
along the Columbia turnpike. The flanking columns were 
ordered to push forward and if possible to pass around the 
flanks of Hood's rear guard, while the center column kept 
pressing the rear. 

A short distance south of Franklin, General Lee, who at 



236 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

that time was in command of Hood's rear guard, decided 
to make a stand in order that his exhausted troops might 
enjoy a night's rest. But Hatch and Knipe attacked Hood's 
rear with great energy, driving it back in confusion, cap- 
turing three guns. In this running fight General Lee was 
wounded, and under cover of darkness fled in disorder to 
Spritig Hill. 

General Lee, in his official report of the Hood cam- 
paign, makes the following mention of the pursuit : "Early 
on the morning of the 17th our cavalry was driven in. in con- 
fusion, by the enemy, who at once commenced a most vigor- 
ous pursuit, his cavalry charging at every opportunity and 
in the most daring manner. It was apparent that they were 
determined to make the retreat a rout if possible. * * * 
I was compelled to withdraw rapidly toward Franklin, as the 
enemy was throwing a force m my rear from both the right 
and left of the pike, on roads coming into the pike near 
Franklin and five miles in my rear." 

Early on the morning of the i8th the pursuit was con- 
tinued, although we were out of rations, with Croxton and 
Johnson on the flanks endeavoring to strike the enemy at or 
near Spring Hill, with Hatch and Knipe in the center. On 
reaching Spring Hill we found the enemy had left early in 
the morning for Columbia. This day's march was made 
through mud and slush and a cold, drizzling rain. This was 
a quiet day. and late in the afternoon the command was 
h^ted some four miles south of Spring Hill, where it 
bivouacked for the night. 

Before leaving camp on the morning of the 19th, rations 
were issued to the troops, after which the whole column 
resumed the pursuit through a storm of rain and snow. 
Hood fell back during the night and by morning was on 
the south side of Rutherford's Creek. After crossing the 
stream he destroyed the railroad bridge, and on reaching 
Rutherford's Creek we found his rear guard strongly posted 
behind works on the south bank, completely covering the 
crossings. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 237 

On approaching Rutherford's Creek we found this bold 
and rapid stream very much swollen by the heavy rains of 
the past twenty-four hours. This rise made it impossible 
for the cavalry to cross, and as we were without a pontoon 
bridge, a short halt was made. The deep, swift current of 
Rutherford's Creek formed almost as good a rear guard as 
Hood's discouraged troops. The rains had ruined the roads ; 
in fact, it was almost impossible for the troops to move 
except along the turnpikes, the dirt roads being nothing more 
than quagmires. During the day several attempts were 
made to cross the stream, but all of them failed. 

Wood's Fourth Corps reached us on the afternoon of 
the iQth. This was a very dreary and disagreeable day, as 
a cold and drizzling rain continued to fall during the day. 
Late in the afternoon Hatch made a floating bridge from 
material obtained from the partially destroyed railroad 
bridge, and taking his men over dismounted, succeeded in 
driving back the enemy from the south bank. During the 
night the pontoons arrived and on the morning of the 21st 
were thrown across Rutherford's Creek at or near where 
the Columbia turnpike crosses. Wilson's cavalry pushed on 
toward Columbia, but was able to capture but few pris- 
oners, as Hood had taken advantage of the swollen stream 
to slip out of the way of his pursuers. At Rutherford's 
Creek the divisions of Johnson and Knipe were turned back 
and sent to Nashville for the purpose of being remounted. 

On reaching Columbia the advance of Wilson's cavalry 
had a light skirmish at the crossing with the rear of Hood's 
army. There was considerable cannonading during the day 
by both armies^ but toward night the firing ceased and all 
became quiet. Duck River was very much swollen by the 
recent rains. For the next two days the cavalry remained in 
camp, awaiting the arrival of the pontoons. The weather, 
which had been exceedingly gloomy and wet for the past 
few days, now changed to bitter cold, greatly retarding the 
work of laying the bridge in front of Columbia. The sudden 
freeze caused the river to fall rapidly, necessitating frequent 
alterations and changes of the bridge. 



238 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Hood from the very start manag^od to keep his wag:ons 
well toward his front, thereby saving them from capture. 
At this place Hood ran some of his g^^ms into Duck River 
to prevent capture. Not quite a month before. Hood's army 
was headed north and was full of hope, expecting- to brush 
away the little army that confronted them, capture Nash- 
ville and march on to Louisville. But after the reception 
given his army at Franklin and Nashville, he changed 
his mind, about-faced and, like the soldier who went to Lee 
for a furlough, continued the march. As the story may not 
be familiar to the reader, I will relate it. One day a soldier 
went to General R. E. Lee for a furlough. The general said 
to him, "Take the position of a soldier," which he promptly 
did. Lee then gave the command, "About-face, forward 
march !" And as the soldier was not halted he continued 
the march to his home. 



>^ 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 239 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE PURSUIT CONTINUED — ENGAGEMENT AT LYNNVILLE — 
CHRISTMAS EVE — PURSUIT ENDS — ORDERED TO WATERLOO 
— WINTER QUARTERS — THE MOVE INTO MISSISSIPPI — RE- 
TURN TO THE OLD CAMP. 

Hood made some show of resistance at Columbia and 
hoped to maintain a defensive line on the south side of Duck 
River, but the deplorable condition of his army did not war- 
rant him in makinj^ the attempt, so he abandoned that idea 
and moved south. The weather was cold, and Hood's troops, 
who were thinly clad and poorly fed, suffered terribly as 
they toiled painfully on over the frozen ground with swollen 
and bruised feet and empty haversacks. In order to end 
this barefooted march in mid-winter, hundreds threw away 
their guns and surrendered, thinking this would be the 
quickest way to end their sufferings. 

But under all these great trials and misfortunes, Hood 
displayed great pluck, and now realized that the only way 
to avoid capture before reaching the Tennessee River was 
by placing a heavy force in the rear of his retreating army. 
He placed Walthall, of Stewart's corps, one of his youngest 
and bravest division commanders, in charge of eight bri- 
gades of infantry, whose effective strength was nineteen hun- 
dred men. This force was further stregthened by the divis- 
ions of Buford, Jackson and Chalmers, of Forrest's com- 
mand, numbering not far from six thousand men, the whole 
under that intrepid leader, General X. B. Forrest. With this 
large and well-selected body of men Hood expected Forrest 
to cover the retreat of his army and save it from rout and 
destruction if possible. 

On the 22nd, Wood's Fourth Corps crossed over, fol- 



240 HTSnVRY or I'lRST RKCIMKNT 

lowoil Oil the nioniins; of the J^rd by Wilson's oavvilry. The 
two clays" delay of Thomas's army at Cohunhia waititic for 
the poiitoons to reach the front was wisely improved upon 
by Hood, who kept his anny moving- sonth. so that when the 
rear i;iiard was pressed it would have a clear road and could 
fall back rapidly. With the exception of his rear guard, his 
armv was badly demoralised, half of whom were unarmed 
and barefooted. 

(."•n the morning- of the J-ith. Wilson's cavalry coiuinned 
the pursuit toward Pidaski. with Wood's Fourth Corps fol- 
lowing. Croxton's brigade was in the advance, and after 
moving a short distance began skirmishing with the rear 
guard of Hood's armv. The enemy fell back as we ad- 
vanced and when Croxton's brigaile had reached Uynnville. 
a point about half way between Columbia and Tulaski. Crox- 
ton found the enemy in line and ready for a hght. 

Croxton formed his brigacle in line ami at once moved 
forward and boldlv attacked Chalmers' division. After 
some prett\ sharp tight ing Chalmers was routed and (.hiven 
in disorder from the field. The pursuit was contimied to 
Buford Station, near Richland Creek. Here Forrest made 
a desperate ettort to hold \\'ilson's troops iti check in order 
that Hood's weary soldiers nught get a little rest. His posi- 
tion was well chosen, and with the aid of six pieces of ar- 
tillery and all of his cavalry, he was able to otYer considerable 
\;esistance. Fc">rrest placed his artillery on the turnpike and 
opened tire on our advancing troops. 

The I'nion guns were seiU to the front and respoiule<1 
with great vigor, dealing out shot and shell in great pro- 
fusion. After a severe artillery duel. Wilson sent the divis- 
ions of Hatch and Harrison to the support of Croxton. who 
was hotly engaged. The whole of Wilson's cavalry moved 
froward, striking Forrest in front and tlank. The rout was 
complete and the enemv tied in confusion across Richland 
Creek. 

This engagement for a while was quite severe. One 
flag and several prisoners fell into our haiuls and General 



s 



1 



Tennessee; volunteer cavalry. 241 

Buforcl, one of Forrest's division commanders, was wounded. 
The army bivouacked on the field for the night. The casu- 
alties in the First Tennessee were as follows : 

Killed— Company C, James L. Smith ; Company H, Ser- 
geant James P. Churchman. 

Wounded — Company A, James IT. Smith ; Company C, 
Sergeant James E. Skeen, severely wounded in right arm ; 
Company L, William T. Hall. 

In this engagement Corporal Harrison Collins, Com- 
pany A, captured General Chalmers' headquarters flag. The 
brave corporal saw the flag, dashed into the enemy's ranks, 
and in a jjcrsonal encounter killed the color-bearer and 
secured the flag. After the engagement Corporal Collins, 
by order of Colonel Dyer, took the captured flag to General 
Croxton's headquarters, where he was highly complimented 
by his general for conspicuous bravery. He was ordered 
to Washington, where he was awarded a medal of honor 
for heroic conduct on the field. The writer was in Wash- 
ington a few years ago and made an efifort to find this trophy, 
but by an act of Congress all captured flags are stored away 
and no one is permitted to see them. The following com- 
plimentary notice was made at the time by our brigade com- 
mander: 

Hkadquarters First Brigade, First Cavalry Division, 
Near Richland Creek, December 25, 1864. 
Lieut. Col. A. J. Alexander, 

Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps : 
Colonel : I have the honor to forward herewith a rebel battle- 
flag captured from Chalmers' division yesterday evening. The cap- 
ture was made by Corporal Harrison Collins, Company A, First 
Tennessee Cavalry. The corporal saw the rebel standard-bearer, 
under the direction of a rebel major, trying to rally his men. He 
determined to have the flag, led a charge, killed the major, routed 
his men, and secured the flag. 

I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John T. Croxton, 
Brigadier-General Commanding. 

During the night the enemy retreated to Pulaski. Gen- 



242 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

eral Forrest makes the following mention of this engage- 
ment in his official report of the Hood campaign : "On the 
morning of the 24th I ordered the infantry back toward 
Pulaski on the main pike and my cavalry on the right and 
left flanks. After advancing about three miles the enemy 
was met, where a severe engagement occurred and tlie enemy 
was lield in check for two hours. I retreated two miles, 
where I took position at Richland Creek. Brigadier-General 
Armstrong was thrown forward in front and General Ross 
on the right flank. Chalmers and Buford formed a junction, 
and were ordered on the left flank. Brigadier-General Arm- 
strong was ordered to the support of six pieces of my artil- 
lery, which were placed in position immediately on the main 
pike and on a line with BuforJ's and Chalmers' divisions and 
Ross' brigade of Jackson's division. After severe artillery 
firing on both sides, two pieces of the enemy's artillery w'ere 
dismounted. The enemy then flanked to the right and left 
and crossed Richland Creek on my right, with the view ot 
gaining my rear. I immediately ordered Armstrong and 
Ross, of Jackson's division, to" cross the bridge on the main 
pike and move arountl and engage the enemy, who were 
crossing the creek. Both Buford and Chalmers were heavily 
pressed on the left, and after an engagement of two hours 
I ordered them to fall back across Richland Creek. * * * 
Brigadier-General Buford was wounded in this engagement, 
and I ordered Brigadier-General Chalmers to assume com- 
"*** mand of Brigadier-General Buford's division, together with 
his own." W'e had n.o artillery dismounted, as reported by 
Forrest. 

This was our third Christmas eve spent around the 
lonely camp-fire, and which was made memorable by the 
day's struggle and the loss of dear comrades. The First 
Tennessee had marched thousands of miles during the year, 
and as we gathered around the camp-fire and talked over 
the year's work and the great loss of life during that time, 
many eyes were moistened and tears could be seen trickling 
down the bronzed faces of these hardy veterans. It seemed 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 243 

that there was no rest for the First Tennessee, but we all 
knew that from the "rapid strides" made during the past 
5'ear the end was near at hand; besides, we had almost de- 
stroyed the largest army in the southwest. About one month 
before, we were falling back toward Nashville before the 
same army we were pursuing. Hood's veterans, which one 
month before were marching north with a quick step, with 
"high hopes, good rations and big pay," were now fleeing 
south in great confusion, with ranks badly shattered and 
broken. 

On Christmas morning Wilson continued the pursuit 
toward Pulaski, pressing the enemy's rear guard with un- 
usual vigor and audacity, the line of retreat still showing 
signs of haste and confusion. Trains, wagons and ammuni- 
tion-were destroyed to prevent capture. Forrest was driven 
rapidly through Pulaski, closely followed by Harrison's and 
Hammond's brigades. The enemy were pursued so rapidly 
that the bridge over Richland Creek, a short distance south 
of Pulaski, was saved. This was a most fortunate thing, as 
it enabled Wilson to continue the pursuit without delay. 
Forrest was not permitted to rest, but was pushed south 
faster than he really wanted to go. 

In Forrest's hasty evacuation of Pulaski he was com- 
pelled to destroy a locomotive and several cars loaded with 
arms and ammunition. He threw four cannon into Richland 
Creek. Wilson pursued on, finding on the way abandoned 
artillery, ammunition and baggage-wagons, gims and equip- 
ments. Seven miles south of Pulaski, Forrest was compelled 
to make a stand in order that Hood's wagon train might be 
saved as Wilson had driven his rear guard close upon it. 
Forrest took up a position on Anthony's Hill, which he forti- 
fied and awaited the approach of Wilson's cavalry. This 
position was admirably selected, being hidden from view by 
heavy timber. The road at this point ran through a deep 
ravine and along the sides and at the head Forrest and 
Walthall threw up works. 

About 2 p. m. the brigades of Harrison and Hammond, 



244 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

who were in the advance, began skirmishing. Harrison dis- 
mounted his brigade and forming it in hne of battle moved 
forward at once to the attack. The enemy opened with ar- 
tillery, but Hammond's men moved on toward the works. 
And here, for the first time since the battle of Nashville, 
Walthairs infantry sprang over the works and drove back 
Harrison's men and captured one gun of Smith's Battery 
I, Fourth l.^nited States Artillery. Wilson immediately or- 
dered up Croxton's brigade and Hatch's division to the sup- 
port of Harrison and Hammond. Croxton, Hatch and Ham- 
mond moved on the flanks, while Harrison renewed the 
struggle in front. This move caused Forrest to abandon his 
position in haste, leaving about fifty prisoners in our hands. 
Late in the afternoon P'orrest withdrew from his position 
and fell back to Sugar Creek, and during the night built a 
temporary line of works. 

Early on the morning of the 26th, the pursuit was con- 
tinued, with Hammond's brigade in the advance. The line 
of retreat still indicated haste, as the road was lined with 
abandoned wagons, muskets, equipments and stragglers who 
had fallen out, some from exhaustion, others for the purpose 
of being captured. To Hood's poor, hungry, half-clad and 
down-hearted soldiers the picture must have been a sad one, 
and the future dark, as they toiled on with bowed heads and 
decimated ranks. Wilson still pressed the enemy with in- 
creased determination and untiring energy, but the resistance 
^during the morning was light. As Hammond approached 
Sugar Creek he encountered the advance of Ross' brigade, 
and after a sharp skirmish drove it back upon the main 
force. 

Hammond pursued the retreating enemy to his works, 
where he was attacked by infantry and cavalry and driven 
back some distance. Hammond rallied his brigade and drove 
the enemy back to his works, holding the position until the 
arrival of the remainder of Wilson's troops. In the after- 
noon the enemy's position was shelled vigorously, after which 
thev fell back to Shoal Creek. Here Walthall formed his- 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 245 

infantry in line to guard the crossing while Forrest's cavalry 
moved on to the Tennessee River. In the engagement at 
Sugar Creek the Second and Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, of 
Hammond's brigade, sustained their already brilliant repu- 
tation. 

Here the pursuit practically ended. Hood, with the ad- 
vance of his army, reached Bainbridge on the 25th, and on 
the 26th laid his pontoon and began crossing his army. On 
the 28th, Walthall's infantry, which had covered Hood's re- 
treat so well, crossed to the south side and the pontoon was 
taken up. Hood moved the remnant of his army to Tupelo, 
Mississippi, by slow and easy march, and on the 23rd of 
January, 1865, at his own request, was relieved of his com- 
mand. A small force of cavalry under Colonel Palmer 
crossed Tennessee River and overtook and destroyed Hood's 
pontoon train, consisting of two hundred wagons and 
seventy-eight pontoon-boats. Thus ended one of the most 
successful campaigns of the war. 

Let us now turn and briefly read the account of this 
well-known retreat from the able pen of Major D. W. 
Sanders, assistant adjutant-general, French's division, Stew- 
art's corps : "General Hood, in a campaign of thirty-eight 
days on the north side of the Tennessee River, fought the 
battles of Franklin and Nashville and wrecked his army. 
No damage of any consequence had been inflicted upon the 
enemy. Thomas, at Nashville, confronted him with a power- 
ful and well-appointed army, fully equipped in all the arms 
of the service, and when he moved on him overwhelmed and 
routed him. At Columbia, it appeared as though Thomas 
would crush and capture the army. The pursuit of his 
mounted force under the command of General Wilson w^as 
fierce and relentless. The march of the rear guard from 
Columbia to Bainbridge, with the incessant assaults made 
upon it, is the most famous in the late war. The courage 
of this small body of troops was admirable; the hardships 
endured by them were terrible ; and their endurance a last- 
ing tribute to the devotion of the volunteer soldier. Their 



246 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

brigade commanders were men of high and marked charac- 
ter, who had distinguished themselves on many fields in great 
battles. The escape of Hood's amiy was committed to their 
valor, and on them rested the hope of the army to reach the 
Tennessee River and to cross it in safety." 

On the 30th, General Thomas announced to his army 
the completion of the campaign and gave orders for the dis- 
position of his troops. A portion of Wilson's cavalry was 
sent to Huntsville, Alabama, and one division to Eastport, 
j\Iississippi. Croxton's brigade was ordered to Waterloo, 
Alabama. 

This was the last time the old "Volunteer State" was 
invaded by the enemy. In Hood's army were thousands of 
Tennesseans, a great many of whom never left the State on 
the retreat. In no battle of the war w^ere there so many 
Tennessee troops engaged on the Union side as at Nashville. 
The following organizations were present and took part in 
that memorable struggle : First, Second, Third. Fourth. 
Sixth. Tenth and Twelfth Cavalry ; Third, Fifth, Sixth and 
Eighth Infantry ; Batteries C and D, First Tennessee Light 
Artillery. 

In this short campaign of only thirty-eight days. Hood 
lost by capture thirteen thousand, one hundred and eighty- 
nine men. besides hundreds who slipped away and never re- 
ported for duty again, and two thousand by desertion. He 
^lost seventy-two pieces of artillery, besides large quantities 
of small arms, wagons and accoutrements and seventy stands 
of colors. If to the desertions and prisoners we add his loss 
in battle it is safe to say that not much more than one-half 
of his army recrossed the Tennessee River. 

General Thomas lost during the campaign, in all fonns 
of casualties, less tlian seven thousand men, and as the most 
of the wounds inflicted upon his troops were light, they soon 
returned to duty. General Wilson reported his loss during 
the campaign from all causes to be nine hundred and two, 
Wilson's loss is included in General Thomas's report. 

Hood's army was completely wrecked and demoralized 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 247 

and no damage of any consequence had been inflicted upon 
the Union army. Thomas's army had been hastily gathered 
together from different points to meet Hood's invasion, but 
demonstrated the fact that the unyielding patriotism of the 
Western men, under such a leader as Thomas, could not be 
doubted, and probably no army was ever more skilfully 
handled. Thomas had manifested his military ability early 
in 1 861-2, and for the first time during the war was so large 
a Confederate army destroyed on the field of battle and on its 
retreat. The battles of Franklin and Nashville rank with 
those of Shiloh, Stone River and Chickamauga, and one 
remarkable feature is the small loss in killed, wounded and 
captured on the Union side. There seems to be but one 
way to account for it, and that is the skilful manner in which 
Thomas handled his troops. 

The following dispatches will show the estimation in 
which General Thomas and his brave soldiers were held by 
the ruler of a great nation : 

Headquarters Department of the Cumberland, 

Near Nashville, Tenn., December 16, 1864. 
General Orders No. 167. 

The Major-General commanding, with pride and pleasure, pub- 
lishes the following dispatches to the army, and adds thereto his own 
thanks to the troops for the unsurpassed gallantry and good conduct 
displayed by them in the battles of yesterday and to-day. A few 
more examples of devotion and courage like these, and the rebel 
army of the West, which you have been fighting for three years, will 
be no more, and you may rea.sonably expect an early and honorable 
peace : 

Washington, D. C, December 15, 1864 — 11:30 a. m. 
Major-General Thomas: 

Please accept for yourself, officers and men the Nation's thanks 
for your good work of yesterday. You made a magnificent begin- 
ning. A grand consummation is within your easy reach; do not let 
it slip. A. Lincoln. 

Washington, D. C, December 15, 1864 — Midnight. 
Major-General Thomas: 

I rejoice in tendering to you and the gallant officers and soldiers 
of your command the thanks of the Department for the brilliant 
achievements of this day, and hope that it is the harbinger of a 



248 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

decisive victory, and will crown you and your army with honor and 
do much toward closing the war. We shall give you an hundred 
guns in the morning. 

Edwin M. Stantox, Secretary of JVar. 

Washington. D. C, Doccnihcr 15. 1864. — 11:45 p. m. 
I\I.\.TOR-G^NKRAi. Thomas: 

Your dispatch of this evening just received. I congratulate 
you and the army under your command for to-day's operations, and 
feel a conviction that to-morrow will add more fruits to your 
victory. U. S. Grant, 

Licutciia)it-Ci'ncral. 

War Department, Adjutant-Generals Office, 
Washington, March 11, 1865. 
General Orders No. 33. 

The following resolution is published for the information of all 
concerned : 

public resolution — NO. 24. 

Joint Resolution of Thanks to Major-General George H. Thomas 

and the army under his command. 

Be It Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered, to Major- 
General George H. Thomas and the officers and soldiers under his 
command, for their skill and dauntless courage by which the rebel 
army under General Hood was signally defeated and driven from 
the State of Tennessee. 

Approved ]\Iarch 3, 1S65. 

By order of Secretary of War. 

-^ E. D. TOWNSEND. 

Assistant Adjutant-Goicral. 

Headquarters Department of the Cumberland, 

Pulaski, Tenn.. December 29, 1864. 
General Orders No. 169. 

Soldiers: The Major-General commanding announces to you 
that the rear guard of the flying and dispirited enemy was driven 
across the Tennessee River on the night of the 27th instant. The 
impas.sable state of the roads and consequent impossibility to supply 
the army compels a do.sing of the campaigii for the present. Al- 
though short, it has been brilliant in its achievements and unsur- 
passed in its results by any other of this war, and is one of which 
all who participated therein may be justly proud. That veteran rebel 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 249 

army which, though driven from position to position, opposed a stub- 
born resistance to much superior numliers during the whole of the 
Atlanta campaign, taking advantage of the absence of the largest por- 
tion of the army which had been opposed to it in Georgia, invaded 
Tennessee, buoyant with hope, expecting Nashville, Murfreesboro, 
and the whole of Tennessee and Kentucky to fall into its power an 
easy prey, and scarcely fixing a limit to its conquests, after having 
received the most terrible check at Franklin on the 30th of Novem- 
ber that any army has received during this war, and later met with 
signal repulse from, the brave garrison of Murfreesboro in its at- 
tempt to capture that place, was finally attacked at Nashville, and 
although your forces were inferior to it in numbers, it was hurled 
back from the coveted prize upon which it had only been permitted 
to look from a distance, and finally sent flying, dismayed and dis- 
ordered, whence it came, impelled by the instinct of self-preservation, 
and thinking only how it could relieve itself for short intervals from 
your persistent and harrassing pursuit, by burning the bridges over 
the swollen streams as it passed them, until finally it had placed the 
broad waters of the Tennessee River between you and its shattered, 
diminished and discomfited columns, leaving its artillery and battle- 
flags in your victorious hands, lasting trophies of your noble daring 
and lasting mementoes of the enemy's disgrace and defeat. 

You have diminished the forces of the rebel army, since it 
crossed the Tennessee River to invade the State, at the least estimate, 
15,000 men, among whom were killed, wounded or captured eighteen 
genera] officers Your captures from the enemy, as far as reported, 
amount to sixty-eight pieces ofv artillery, 10,000 prisoners, as many 
stands of small arms, several thousand of which have been gathered 
in and the remainder strew the route of the enemy's retreat, and 
between thirty and forty flags, besides compelling him to destroy 
much ammunition and abandon mony wagons, and unless he is mad, 
he must forever relinquish all hope of bringing Tennessee again 
within the lines of the accursed rebellion. A short time will now be 
given you to prepare to continue the work so nobly begun. 

By command of Major-General Thomas. 

Wm. D. Whipple, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Blue Water, December 30, 1864. 
Special Fikld Orders No. 16. 

it gives the brevet major-general great pleasure to transmit 
the following complimentary notice of the operations of the cavalry 
corps, and to assure the officers and soldiers of his command that 
he fully endorses the declaration of Major-General Thomas: 



250 HISTORY OF riRST REGIMENT 

HtAPQUARTFRS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, 

Pulaski, Tenn., December 29, 1864. 
Major-Gf.nerai. J. H. Wilson. Commanding Cavalry Corps, 
Military Diz'ision of the Mississippi: 
General: The maior-general commanding tenders his thanks 
to yourself, officers and men for the vigor, skill, bravery and endur- 
ance displayed by your corps in this long and toilsome pursuit of the 
retreating rebel army 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Wm. D. Whipple, 
Brigcdicr-Gcncral and Chief of Staff. 
By order of Brevet Major-General Wilson: 

E. B. Beaumont. 
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. 

General Wilson's cavalry captured during the campaign 
eightv-six officers and three thousand, one hundred and 
fortv-nine enlisted men, twelve flags, seventeen pieces of ar- 
tillerv and eleven caissons, two thousand, three hundred and 
eightv-six small amis, three locomotives, one hundred and 
eightv-four wagons, eight ambulances, one hundred and 
twentv-five pontoon wagons and seventy-eight boats, and 
one thousand, three hundred and forty-eight mules and 
horses. 

When the pursuit ended. General Thomas gave orders 
for his army to build winter quarters. This was something 
new to the First Tennessee, and the boys went about the 
work with a will and soon had their "log cabins" ready for 
ttie plasterers. This was the only time during our service 
that such an opportimity had been given us to build com- 
fortable quarters. We were beginning to congratulate our- 
selves on the solid comfort that we expected to get out of 
our cabins and the great improvement over the "dog-tent" 
when orders came to move. General Grant issued an order 
for the renewal of the campaign against the enemy. 

After a rest of two weeks the First Tennessee left its 
splendid quarters at Waterloo and plunged into the swamps 
of I^lississippi with the remainder of the brigade. Croxton 
crossed the Tennessee River without opposition and moved 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 251 

through Eastport, then, turning southwest, marched his bri- 
gade to luka, on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. From 
this place Croxton marched his command on through Burns- 
ville to Corinth, skirmishing lightly on the way and picking 
up a few prisoners. 

luka and Corinth had both been made historic by the 
desperate fighting between the forces of Grant, Van Dorn 
and Price in September and October, 1862. There was 
ample evidence that contending armies had struggled in and 
around these old Mississippi towns. The engagement at 
Corinth was exceedingly fierce and bloody. It was in this 
fierce and sanguinary struggle that the gallant and intrepid 
soldier, General A. P. Hackleman, was killed and General 
R. J. Oglesby severely wounded on the Union side, while 
the brave General Rogers, leading his Texas brigade, fell in 
front of Battery Robinette. At luka. General Little was 
killed and General Whitfield wounded on the enemy's side. 

From Corinth Croxton moved east to Farmington and 
after a short rest marched back to luka. This part of Mis- 
sissippi is exceedingly low and flat and during dry weather 
is very nice, but when thoroughly wet by protracted rains 
might very properly be denominated a swamp. But the soil 
is as easily affected by the drought as by rains. Corinth is 
built upon low land and is situated at the junction of the 
Memphis & Charleston and the Mobile & Ohio Railroads. 

After resting for one day at luka, Croxton moved his 
brigade back through Eastport to the old camp-ground at 
Waterloo, Alabama, where it remained for a month. 

"We're tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, 
Give us a song to cheer 
Our weary hearts — a song of home 

And friends we love so dear ! 
Many are the hearts that are weary to-night. 

Wishing for the war to cease; 
Many are the hearts looking for the right, 
To see the dawn of peace. 

Tenting to-night, tenting to-night, 
Tenting on the old camp-ground." 



252 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

This movement of Crouton's brigade into Mississippi 
was for the purpose of watching the movements of Hood ' 
and finding out the route his retreating army had taken. 
From this place numerous scouts were made in all directions. 
The last man wounded in the First Tennessee was James 
H. Blakely, private Company A, who was shot by "bush- 
whackers" on one of these scouts, February, 1865. 

The last of January the Second and Third Brigades of 
McCook's division arrived at our camp at Waterloo. These 
brigades, by order of General Wilson, left Nashville on the 
nth day of December, 1864, for the purpose of checking 
General Lyon, who was reported to be moving on the Louis- 
ville & Nashville Railroad. After doing considerable dam- 
age, he was driven out of Kentucky with a loss of three- 
fourths of his command. By order of General Wilson, the 
Third Brigade, commanded by General Watkins, was broken 
up, the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry being assigned to Croxton's 
brigade and the Fourth and Seventh Kentucky to La 
Grancfe's brieade. 



n: 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 253- 



CHAPTER XIX. 

RELIEVED AT THE FRONT — ORDERED TO NASHVILLE — THE SUR- 
RENDER OF LEE GREAT REJOICING IN CAMP — THE WAR 

ENDED — PREPARING FOR MUSTER-OUT. 

While at this camp the First Tennessee was reHeved of 
duty at the front and ordered to Nashville to be mustered 
out. Here ended the military service of this gallant body 
of men, whose dead lie scattered over seven different States, 
in which they rendered distinguished service. The First 
Tennessee during its three years' service marched over four- 
teen thousand miles, which, together with its large death- 
roll and its "staying qualities" in battle, made it a noted 
regiment in the Army of the Cumberland, where it per- 
formed the greater part of its service. The battles, marches, 
picket and camp duty, the shouts of victory on fields of car- 
nage, were about to end ; we were soon to part from, and 
"bid adieu" to our comrades of the old First Brigade, com- 
posed of the Second Michigan, Eighth Iowa, Fourth Ken- 
tucky, who had stood shoulder to shoulder on a score of 
battlefields where shot and shell and the "ever zipping minie" 
had decimated their ranks. 

As a regiment it had never disgraced the flags it bore 
or the cause it loved and had battled for during three terrible 
years of carnage and bloodshed. We make a modest claim, 
and that, too, without being called egotistical, that we did our 
whole duty, and as menibers of a fighting regiment helped 
to sustain the already brilliant reputation of the old "Volun- 
teer State." The splendid record made by Tennessee's noble 
and patriotic sons in the early wars was hardly equalled in 
any age. We find these hardy pioneer riflemen fighting in 
the ranks of Sevier and Shelby at King's Mountain, under 



254 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Jackson and Coffee at the battle of the Horseshoe, and at 
New Orleans, where Sir Edward Packenham was slain and 
his splendid and well-equipped army routed and driven from 
the field by the unerring aim of the Tennessee riflemen. 

Later on, we find the sons of the old "Volunteer State" 
springing to arms in numbers much greater than her quota 
and following the old flag across the burning sands of 
Mexico to lead the assaulting columns at Monterey and 
Cerro Gordo. In the late war we find these same loyal sons 
of East Tennessee marching forth to battle under the old 
flag, and by their valor have added lustre to the escutcheon 
of the "Volunteer State." 

Before leaving Waterloo the officers and enlisted men 
of the regiment presented General John T. Croxton, their 
brigade commander, with a handsome sword, properly en- 
graved, as a slight token of the confidence and estimation 
they placed upon him as their commander, whether it was 
upon the field of battle, on the march or in camp. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Dyer marched the regiment to General Crox- 
ton's headquarters and formed it in line in front of his tent. 
The General, mistrusting that something "unusual" was up, 
came forward and greeted us, after which the boys gave him 
three rousing cheers. Rev. John P. Holtsinger, chaplain of 
the First Tennessee, then stepped forward and on behalf of 
the officers and men of the regiment presented the sword 
to the General. His address was as follows : 

General : I have been selected and solicited by the officers and 
men of my regiment to perform the very honorable and agreeable 
duty of presenting to you this sword, which I hope you will receive 
as evidence of the favorable opinion which your meritorious military 
conduct has induced us to form of you since it has been our good 
fortune to be placed under your command. I have been appointed 
and urged to the performance of this duty from no other considera- 
tion than that I am an old man. 

When first you received us into your brigade and assumed 
command of us. our forms and features were strange to each other, 
bearing no marks of familiarity except the uniforms of the great 
Union army. Allow me to assure you that your fame as a warrior 
had reached us long before we met and stood shoulder to shoulder 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 255 

in opposition to the enemies of our government. We had heard of 
your valuable service and meritorious management on various battle- 
fields, where the earth was made crimson with the blood of the slain ; 
and we were not only satisfied, but we were proud and felt honored 
to have you for our brigade commander, either in camp or on the 
field of conflict. 

Since we formed a part of your command, our lot has been 
almost constantly cast in the immediate front of a powerful foe, and 
I only represent and reiterate the honest expression of my regiment 
when I declare that you have at all times, even on occasions the most 
critical, given ample satisfaction both to officers and men. Our pro- 
tracted association and military relationships have been of that 
friendly character which imparts success and honor to comrades con- 
lending for the same and great glorious cause. It is with feelings of 
profound regret that we part from friends and army associates with 
whom we have mutually struggled on many battlefields for liberty — 
the richest boon on earth. 

We finally leave this sword with you, which, judging from the 
past, we have every reason to believe you will wield in a way that 
will do honor to yourself and the good and great government for 
which you are gallantly contending. 

To this General Croxton replied as follows : 

Soldiers and Friends of Freedom : I accept and receive this 
sword as a token of the satisfaction which I have been able to impart 
to the magnanimous soldiers whom it has given me pleasure, as well 
as reputation, to command. The scenes and sufferings, privations 
and perils, through which you passed in the early days of the rebellion 
are known to me, and my .sympathies have long since been enlisted in 
your favor, while I have truly sorrowed on account of your condi- 
tion and the condition of your friends at home. The oppression of 
the Union people of East Tennessee has been to me a source of sor- 
row. I am better prepared to understand your sufferings because in 
Kentucky, the place of my residence, the Union party encountered op- 
pression and abuse in common with their Union friends in East 
Tennessee. It was neither inclination nor ambition for military 
renown that induced me to enter the service, but principle, which 
should at all times control ambition and inclination, led me into the 
path of the warrior when the great struggle was brought about by 
rebels for the overthrow of our government. 

The regiment with which I first served, and which I had the 
honor to command, was the first to pitch tents and establish a 
Federal camp south of the Ohio River. Kentucky, like Tennessee, 
in the beginning of the war, was overrun and abused by rebels; and 



256 HISTORY OF F]RST REGIMENT 

Kentuckians were compelled, at an early day of the war, to choose 
their principles and act accordingly. It is with deep regret that I 
witness your withdrawal and departure from my command. Under- 
standing as 1 do the honorable and upright course which you have 
taken since the beginning of the rebellion, I cannot hesitate to ex- 
press my conviction that you will continue to oppose the enemies of 
union and freedom until law and order are restored throughout our 
broad land. I am gratified to believe that you will not divest your- 
selves of the Federal uniform and the weapons of war until secession 
is not known in our land except in history. 

Soldiers, you will long be remembered and respected by me for 
your unhesitating obedience and unmurmuring endurance, both in 
camp and on the field of action. Long may you live to enjoy the 
liberty for which you have nobly fought and realize the fruits of the 
perilous labors which j'ou have performed. 

On the loth day of February, 1865, the First Tennessee 
embarked on government transports at Eastport, Mississippi, 
for Nashville. The most of the men took hurricane and 
boiler-deck passage on the transports. Company C — the 
writer's company — with others, was on the Westmoreland, a 
large side-wheel steamer. As the transports swung off and 
began moving down the beautiful Tennessee cheer after 
cheer went up in answer to those given by the boys of the 
old brigade. 

On our way to Nashville we met a great many heavily 
loaded transports, accompanied by gunboats, on their way 
to Eastport with supplies for the army, which was then being 
concentrated at that point. These transports and the dark- 
'kjoking gunboats were puffing and plowing up the water, 
while great clouds of black smoke rose from their huge 
stacks. 

We passed on this trip Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, 
Forts Henry and Donelson, all of which have already passed 
into history, but were pleasant and interesting sights to us. 
In passing these historic places no sound of the hostile can- 
non or the shouts of the charging troops could be heard. 
After a short run we entered Tennessee and soon reached 
Shiloh. Here, on that bright Sabbath morning of Arpil 6, 
1862, General Grant was aroused from his sleep by the boom 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 257 

of cannon. Along the banks of the Tennessee the Union 
army under Grant and the Confederates under A. S. John- 
son met in deadly conflict. In the first day's battle John- 
son was slain and Grant's army driven back to the banks of 
the river, where during the night the gunboats Tyler and 
Lexington dropped 24-pound shells into the enemy's line. 
On the morning of the 7th, Beauregard, who succeeded 
Johnson, was routed and driven from the field toward 
Corinth. 

After passing Shiloh the Tennessee River turns almost 
due north and at Fort Henry leaves Tennessee and enters 
the State of Kentucky. On the 5th day of February, 1862, 
this fort was captured by Commodore Foote, who com- 
manded the small fleet of gunboats of Grant's army. The 
fort was commanded by General Tilgham, and after one 
hour's bombardment he was forced to surrender. 

We reached the mouth of the Tennessee river at Padu- 
cah without accident, and after a short stay the transports 
carrying the regiment turned up the Ohio River. At Smith- 
land the boats entered the Cumberland River and steamed 
away up the placid stream, while the black smoke floated 
lazily from the tops of the stacks. Just before reaching Fort 
Donelson we left Kentucky and again entered Tennessee. 
The mouths of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers are 
only twelve miles apart, and where they enter Tennessee at 
Fort Henry are only about eight miles apart. It is rather 
singular that two rivers so large should run such a long 
distance almost parallel and so close together. 

On rounding a bend in Cumberland River below Fort 
Donelson we caught sight of the "old flag" and the fort. 
This was the place where Grant won his first important 
victory in the west, compelling Buckner to surrender on the 
T6th day of February, 1862. 

The weather was good for that season of the year, and 
the scenery along the route was truly grand. In fact, it was 
beyond the power of pen to describe or painter to portray. 
At the mouth of Harpeth River the transports encountered 



258 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

the famous Harpeth Shoals. The Cumberland River is very 
shallow at this point and during- extreme drouths it puzzles 
the most skillful pilot to take his vessel safely across the 
shoals. 

After several days were spent in this manner of travel- 
ing-, the First Tennessee reached the capital of its own State 
without accident and went nito camp at Edgefield, on the 
Gallatin turnpike. This was the fourth time the regiment 
had marched through the streets of Nashville. Two months 
before, the thunder of artillery and the rattle of musketry 
was heard in Nashville — now, all was quiet and the only 
real signs of war were the guards moving about in the dis- 
charge of duty and the various regiments passing through 
on their way home to be mustered out. The officers were 
kept busy closing up their accounts, making up muster-out 
rolls and getting ready for the final discharge. 

We were given a great deal of liberty while in Nash- 
ville; in fact, the "freedom of the city" was given us. The 
guard at the bridge would not look near so long at our 
passes or ask so many "foolish" questions as on former oc- 
casions. There was some little delay in the muster-out of the 
regiment, but in a few days that duty was performed by 
Captain P. W. Neil, Eighteenth United States Infantry. 

The regiment was still in Nashville when Lee sur- 
rendered. The 9th of April was a proud and memorable 
^ay. The news of the surrender of Lee's army was flashed 
over the wires and a salute of two hundred gams was or- 
dered to be fired by E. Vi. Stanton. Secretary of War, at all 
posts, headquarters of the army, arsenals and at West Point. 
Everything in Nashville was in an uproar, and the soldiers 
were wild with excitement. Bands were playing, soldiers 
cheering and artillery booming. It was a regular Fourth of 
Julv celebration on a high order. Men who were never 
known to smile now laughed ; those who were always quiet 
in camp were heard to shout, and those who were never 
known to take a drink of commissary whiskey actually got 
drunk, and in the language of our own Davy Crockett said, 
"Let's take another drink." 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 259 

The guns on Capitol Hill and in the forts at Nashville 
belched forth this glorious news, and we all felt that the 
war was almost at an end and soon peace would once more 
return and witness a united country again. The greater 
part of the men composing the regiment enlisted in March 
and April, 1862, and on the muster-out of those who en- 
listed first, the remainder were reorganized and remained 
on duty in Nashville until mustered out June 14, 1865. The 
reader will bear in mind that there was great irregularity in 
the enlistment of the Tennessee soldiers, owing to the fact 
that it was impossible for them to escape from rebel terri- 
tory only as opportunity and favorable circumstances pre- 
sented themselves ; therefore the expiration of their enlist- 
ment varied and differed accordingly. 

This reorganization afforded an opportunity for several 
worthy promotions. Major R. Thornburgh, of the First 
Battalion, being the senior officer left, was promoted to 
Lieutenant-Colonel ; Captain E. J. Colville, Company L, was 
promoted to Major ; David Shaw, sergeant Company G, was 
promoted to First Lieutenant in the same company ; Newton 
T. Beal, private of Company E, was promoted to Second 
Lieutenant in Company G. Several worthy promotions were 
made among the non-commissioned officers and privates, but 
the writer has been unable to obtain a list and make honor- 
able mention of the same. 

The First Tennessee performed the greater part of its 
service in the Army of the Cumberland, and although this 
army was greatly scattered when the great struggle ended, 
yet its heroic achievements still live and its dead are honored 
by a loving people. The Army of the Cumberland was un- 
surpassed for bravery, and the gallant record made by it 
was one that was not excelled during the Civil War. It 
furnished a little more than half the troops for the Atlanta 
campaign. It was well represented in Sherman's grand 
march to the sea, and fought alone the battles of Mill 
Springs, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga. 

It gave aid to the Army of the Tennessee at Fort Don- 



260 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

clson and Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. We find it again 
dividing the glorv of Franklin with the Army of the Ohio 
and at Nashville with the Armies of the Ohio and the Ten- 
nessee. It also helped win Missionary Ridge and Lookout 
Mountain. In Wilson's great "rush" through Mississippi. 
Alabama and Georgia, we find representatives of the Army 
of the Cumberland. Upon its banners were inscribed the 
names of scores of historic fields. 

The only field this army ever gave to the enemy in its 
unitv was bloody Chickamauga. and then the enemy was so 
severelv punished that the piu'suit was weak and made with- 
out energy. Notwithstanding the great loss of life in the 
Army of the Cumberland its ranks were kept filled, and at 
the close of the great struggle it is safe to say that it num- 
bered at least one hundred and sixty-five thousand men, who 
were now to return home arid resume the pursuits of civil 
life. 

The final report of the Adiutant-General's office from 
i86i to 1866 shows a total loss in the Union army, from all 
causes, to be three hundred ami thirteen thousand men. 
Tennessee lost in the same period and from all causes, six 
thousand, seven hundred and seventy-seven men. Of this 
number seven hundred and forty- four 'were killed or died 
of wounds. Five thousand, one hundred and ninety-two 
died of disease. In this list the twelve hundred and eighty- 
t^o that died in prison are included. Three hundred and 
seven were drowned. From other causes, such as murdered, 
killed after capture, suicide, etc., four hundred antl ninety. 
The Second Tennessee Infantry lost more men in prison 
than any regiment in the L^nited States service. This gal- 
lant regiment was captured at Rogersville, Tennessee, No- 
vember 6, 1863. 

The total enrollment of the First Tennessee during its 
term of service, from the best and most reliable source, was 
fourteen hundred and ninety-three men. The regiment lost 
in killed and died of wounds and disease, three hundred and 
thirty-three men. Those that died in prison are included 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 261 

in this list. Three men from Tennessee committed suicide 
during the war and one of this number was from the First 
Tennessee. The most frequent causes for discharge from 
the army were gunshot wounds, consumption, diarrhea and 
typhoid fever. The largest number of deaths from disease 
in the army occurred from chronic diarrhea and fever. The 
First Tennessee lost more men from fever than any other 
disease. During the war there were two hundred and ninety- 
eight battles fought in Tennessee, — Virginia alone exceed- 
ing the "Volunteer State." 

The seven National Cemeteries located in Tennessee 
contain the remains of fifty-seven thousand and five of the 
Union dead who gave up their lives in order that this great 
and growing country might remain undivided. The largest 
cemetery in Tennessee is located at Nashville. The re- 
mainder are given in the order as to the number of inter- 
ments in each : Memphis, Chattanooga, vStone River, Pitts- 
burg Landing, Knoxville and Fort Donelson. Their graves 
are kept green at the expense of the government they helped 
to save, and their surviving comrades and friends on each 
30th of May perform a loving and patriotic duty by re- 
counting what they did in song and story and the placing of 
flags and flowers upon their graves. The dead of the First 
Tennessee lie buried in all of the cemeteries of their native 
State, with the exceptions of Pittsburg Landing and Fort 
Donelson. 

The First Tennessee met the enemy at the following 
places: Cumberland Gap, June 18, 1862; Rigg's Cross 
Roads, Tenn., April 16, 1863; College Grove, Tenn., May 8, 
1863 ; Rover, Tenn., June 23, 1863 ; Middletown, Tenn., 
June 24, 1863 ; Shelbyville, Tenn., June 27, 1863 ; Lafayette, 
Ga., Sept. 13, 1863; Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19 and 20, 
1863; Sparta, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1863; Dandridge, Tenn., Dec. 
24, 1863 ; Mossy Creek, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1863 ; Fairgarden, 
Tenn., Jan. 27, 1864; Varnell's Station, Ga., May 9, 1864; 
Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864; Burnt Hickory, Ga., May 26, 
1864; Brownlow's Hill, or Acworth, Ga., June 4, 1864; 



262 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Lost Mountain, Ga., June i6. 1864; Mason's Church, Ga., 
July 23, 1864; Lovejoy's Station, Ga., July 29, 1864; New- 
nan, Ga., July 31, 1864; Lavergne, Tenn., Sept. i, 1864; 
Franklin, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1864; Campbellsville, Tenn., Sept. 
5, 1864; Pulaski, Tenn., Sept. 2-], 1864; Shoal Creek, Ala., 
Nov. 5, 1864; Hurt's Cross Roads, Tenn., Nov. 29, 1864; 
Franklin, Tenn.. Nov. 30. 1864; Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 
and 16, 1864; and Lynnville, Tenn.. Dec. 24, 1864. 

In addition to these engagements the regiment had 
scores of skirmishes, some of which were quite severe, and 
the writer is unable to recall a single instance in which the 
First Tennessee ever refused or failed to execute any order 
given to it. no matter how ditificult and dangerous the execu- 
tion appeared. Colonel Brownlow was never heard to say 
"go, boys,"' but always "come." Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer 
led the regiment with equal gallantry after Colonel Brown- 
low was wounded. 

Thirty-five years have passed away since the great 
struggle ended and we find the highest offices within the 
gift of the American people have been filled by soldiers. 
In all the vocations of life they have "paddled their own 
canoes" admirably. Sober, enterprising, wide-awake, clear- 
headed, the soldiers of the Civil War have made an honor- 
able record in peace as well as war, and to-day take high 
rank as good and useful citizens. The writer is more than 
Ngratified to be able to say that so far as his means of knowl- 
edge extend the surviving members of the First Tennessee 
are making just as good and useful citizens as they were 
soldiers. They are industrious and are fighting the battle 
of life as manfully as they fought the battles of their coun- 
try. 

Since the close of the war forts and rifle-pits have in 
many places disappeared and given place to beautiful homes 
and sweet-scented flowers. Yet in many places they still 
remain, and serve as reminders of the great struggle away 
back in the sixties. We no longer hear the roar of hostile 
guns from the ramparts or the shouts of the charging troops. 



TENNKSSEU VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 263 

but instead the happy voices of playful children. Where the 
smoke of battle once hung low, shutting out from view the 
contending forces, we now see the smoke of the factory and 
furnace. Those who were once enemies and engaged in the 
deadly fray are now engaged in these peacful and industrial 
pursuits, each striving to build up the waste places and to 
reunite this great and growing country of ours over which 
today one flag alone waves triumphantly. 



264 HISTORY OF first regiment 



CHAPTER XX. 

CI.OSIXO. SCENES — UNDER TUE TATTERED FLAG — MUSTERED 
OUT — FAREWELL GREETING — RECEPTION T.Y THE LOYAL 
PEOPLE. 

The First Toiinossoo \vas now about to leave the service, 
and the writer makes the modest claim that it made an honor- 
able and creditable record, one that their country and chil- 
dren mav well be proud of. The list of engagements and its 
death-roll tell part of the story, and during; its service won 
the name of "The Fighting First." and although not one of 
Fox's three hundred fighting regiments, yet it was a brave 
and g'allant body of men. and ^\herever it was engaged its 
losses bore evidence of its valor. It carried the Stars and 
Stripes and marched luider its waving folds when screaming 
shot and hissing shell were sweep'ug them away. The period 
when the regiment was organized was one when disaster 
seemed at hand and the fate of the nation hung trembling" 
in the balance. The inducements for enlisting were the very 
poorest. Xo magiiificent bounties or "big pay" were offered, 
or mild service to lure them into the ranks. All that was 
left "in that dark and trying hour" to give the volunteer 
impulse was: "Your country needs you: go!" Xever was 
there such a patriotic uprisir.g of the loyal people all over 
tlie land. 

The men composing the First Tennessee have already 
transmitted to posterity on the pages of history the evidence 
of its valor on the field of battle. Hundreds of its members 
will never again respond to any earthly roll-call or spring to 
amis at the nation's call. Their work is done, and their 
voices are silent. Captains Lane. Bowman and Cannon ; 
Lieutenants Whitehead. Stapleton. Cox. Roberts and Hull; 




KKGIMKNTAJ. II.Af; AS IT AIM'KAKH TO-JJA V 



>^ 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVAI.Ry. 265 

the long list of scrj^cants, corporals and privates, sleep the 
unending sleep of death. Their forms have decomposed into 
dust, the origin and the end of man. They died in the moun- 
tains of Kentucky and Tennessee, by the banks of the Cum- 
berland, Tennessee and Chattahoochee Rivers, on the battle- 
field, in the hospital and in prison. No monuments mark 
their resting-places, but a deathless fame immortalizes their 
deeds. 

What a strange anrl happy change was now going on — 
the war over anrl the soldierr. being mustered out ! About 
a million of Union soldiers threw off their blue uniforms, 
laid down the weapons of war, and putting on citizens cloth- 
ing took up the arms of peace, soon to be lost sight of in a 
busy world. Never had the world witnesserl such a change. 
In 1861-2 the great Union army, which had sprung into 
existence from the loyal and patriotic people of the United 
State*:, were now as suddenly transformed back to the peace- 
ful pursuits of civil life. 

The writer has endeavored in this brief work to give 
the reader a correct account of the gallant record made by 
the P'irst Tennessee from 1862 to 1865. It has been a labor 
of love as well as a pleasant duty to record the many heroic 
deeds perfrmned by the regiment. The First Tennessee had 
brave, competent and faithful officers, while in the ranks the 
men v/ho carried the carbines and wielded the saber were 
also brave and patriotic and discharged their duty faithfully. 

The regiment was composed of good material — mostly 
farmers — and was organized and led by volunteer officers. 
The moral character was good and no regiment in the ser- 
vice was more religiously inclined. This was doubtless due 
in a great measure to its worthy chaplain, who was a most 
excellent Christian gentleman. He preached to the men 
every Sunday, when it was jiossible to do so, and his meet- 
ings were always largely attended and of the most devout 
character. It had as few camp fights as any regiment in the 
.service. 

There were several officers and enlisted men of the 



266 HISTORY OF I'lRST REGIMENT 

First Tennessee commissioned in other reg^iments, while 
others were detailed to fill various positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility, and the writer is unable to recall a single in- 
stance where anyone betrayed the confidence or degraded 
the office he was called upon to fill. 

In the preparation of this work the writer has as times 
almost given up the enterprise for want of proper informa- 
tion and facts. Those who are familiar with the early or- 
ganization of the Tennessee regiments will remember that 
they were made up in the State of Kentucky, and the irregu- 
lar way in which the men composing these regiments made 
their escape in order to enlist will realize at once the great 
difficulty in collecting facts for such a work. The State was 
also a battleground most of the time. But after a year of 
hard and patient labor this brief history has been prepared, 
in which the many thrilling and heroic deeds are recorded, 
and the writer feels warranted in saying that a grateful peo- 
ple fully appreciate your untiring sacrifice and devotion to 
the "old flag" and that your blood was not spilled in vain. 

The recruits remained in the service until the 14th of 
June, when they were mustered out. Major Russell Thorn- 
burgh, being the senior officer left, commanded the recruits 
until they were discharged. The men were paid, the final 
discharge given, and after marching to their quarters we ex- 
changed farewell greetings \\ ith those of our comrades who 
were to remain in the service for a short time. It was a sad 
parting, one that all will remejnber. Many letters were sent 
home by the boys who remamed behind. 

The regiment as a unit assembled for the last time under 
the folds of its old flag, and as the grim warriors gazed at 
its tattered folds under which they had marched and fought 
for three long years, many tears could be seen trickling 
down the bronzed faces of the men. Our thoughts went out 
in loving memory for those of our comrades who had fallen 
in battle, died in the hospital or in prison — the last the 
saddest of all. 

It is true our efforts to help crush the rebellion were 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 267 

successful, but the highways along which we marched 
and fought have also been made moist and crimson by the 
blood of our own dead. It is true the rebellion could have 
been put down without the aid of the First Tennessee, yet 
the small streams help to make up the ocean. 

On the nth day of April the Knox County boys and a 
large number of the men from the upper East Tennessee 
counties left camp and marched to the depot and embarked 
on the cars for home, leaving behind a record that has 
already passed into history. At Cleveland, Tennessee, we 
heard of the assassination of President Lincoln at Wash- 
ington. On reaching our respective homes we were warmly 
and cordially received by the loyal people, who greeted us 
with open arms. Grim war nor cruel treatment had damp- 
ened their love for the Union or sympathy for the boys in 
blue. 

All over East Tennessee the returning soldiers were 
greeted with outstretched arms, and banquets were given in 
their honor. What a relief from an almost unbroken strain, 
after three years of faithful service at the front ! We said 
goodbye, drill and dress-parade ; goodbye, saber, gun and 
tent ; adieu, faithful horse and much-beloved canteen ; fare- 
well, old hard-tack and army bean : 

An affectionate adieu 
To each of you. 

Each returning soldier recalled the fact that others had 
gone out with him, but would never return. They also re- 
called the days of battle and of death in hospital and in 
prison. But with these sad memories came peace — no more 
battles, no more prisons, no more hospitals. The boys were 
welcomed home, and the people were ready and willing to 
help the boys begin life again, and nothing was too good 
for a returning soldier. 

The recruits remained en duty in Nashville until the 
14th of June, 1865, when they were all mustered out and 
returned home. 



268 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Now, comrades of the First Tennessee, I have at- 
tempted to follow your movements for three years and to 
correctly record your deeds and the part you took in the 
great struggle, but will let you judge of their correctness. I 
have followed as best I could your movements in the States 
of Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia 
and ]\Iississippi, the States in which you performed distin- 
Sfuished service. And now, having followed all of vour 
movements from enlistment to muster-out at Nashville, the 
capital of your own State, and being unable to follow you 
any further or to accompany each one of you home, I will! 
leave you and bid each one a long and affectionate farewell. 

Comrades, it has been one of the most pleasant duties of 
my life to write a history of your service. But remember, 
comrades, this has been no small undertaking, and if any 
errors have been made they are of the head and not the 
heart. 

Since the close of the war the surviving members of the 
regiment have organized an association known as "The First 
Tennessee Cavalry Association," which meets annually. 
These annual gatherings are well attended and are seasons of 
great enjoyment. Through the kindness of Mrs. W. G. 
Brownlow, the mother of our colonel, the old flag under 
which the regiment marched and fought was presented by 
her to the association and is an interesting memento at our 
meetings. 

^ The whitening hair, the failing vision and the halting 
step all prefigure the inevitable hour when all must pass 
over and join the silent majority beyond. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 269 



ROSTER AND RECORD 



First Tennessee Cavalry. 



Organized at Camp Garber, Ky., March and April, 
1862. ^Mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., April and June, 
1865. The roster contains the name, military record and 
postofficc address of all the men whose names were borne 
upon the roll? of the regiment during its service, and is as 
complete and accurate as can be made from the facts and 
dates at hand. 

1862— 1865. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

COLONELS. 

Robert Johnson. Enrolled Feb. 28, 1862. Resigned 
on account of ill health May 31, 1863, at Triune, Tenn. 
After resigning he went to Nashville, where for a short time 
he assisted his father, who was then Governor of Tennessee. 
He was a kind officer and good to his men. Died at Greene- 
ville, Tenn., April 22, 1869. 

Brevet Brigadier-General James P. Brownlow. 
Enrolled April i, 1862. Elected Captain of Company C at 
its organization. Elected Lieutenant-Colonel Aug. i, 1862. 
Promoted to Colonel on the resignation of Colonel Johnson. 
Captured at Fairgarden, Tenn., Jan. 27, 1864; made his 
escape soon after and rejoined the regiment. Led the First 
Brigade from the disastrous field near Newnan, Ga., July 



270 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

30, 1864, after the separation of General Croxton from his 
command. Severely wonnded at Franklin, Tenn., Sept 2, 
1864. Was appointed Brigadier-General by brevet by Presi- 
dent Lincoln March 13, 1865. This promotion was for gal- 
lantry and meritorious service during the war. Was present 
and nuistered out with the regiment, his time having ex- 
pired. Appointed Captain in the Eighth United States Cav- 
alry, July, 1866. Resigned in March, 1868. Died at Knox- 
ville, Tenn., April 27, 1878. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. 

C. M. Dyer. Enrolled July 12, 1862. Elected Lieuten- 
ant Company H, July 12, 1862. Promoted to Major, Aug. 
4, 1863; Lieutenant-Colonel, vSept. 19, 1864. Commanded 
the regiment after Colonel P]rownlow was wounded at 
Franklin, until it returned to Nashville to be mustered out. 
He was killed by a colored soldier in Knoxville, Tenn., Feb. 
13, 1866. Colonel Dyer was attending a sale of government 
property and on entering the building was shot dead by the 
soldier who was on guard. His only excuse for the das- 
tardly act was that a white officer resembling Colonel Dyer, 
he claimed, had offended him. The culprit was captured 
by Colonel Dyer's friends shortly afterward and hung. 

MAJORS. 

James O. Berry. Enrolled April 15, 1862. Appointed 
.Vljutant of the regiment April, 1862. Promoted to Major 
May 15, 1862. Resigned Jan. 6, 1863. Address, Denton, 
Texas. 

M. T. Burkheart. Enrolled April i, 1862. Elected 
First Lieutenant Company C at its organization. Promoted 
to Captain August, i, 1862; to Major, Nov. i, 1862. Re- 
signed Aug. 4, 1863. Died April 11, 1902. 

W. R. Tracy. Enrolled Oct. 12, 1862. Elected ]\Iajor 
Nov., 1862. Resigned June 22, 1863. 

Abraham Hammond. Enrolled Aug. 6, 1862. Elected 
Captain Company I at its organization. Promoted to Major 



te;nnesse:e volitnteer cavalry. 271 

May 21, 1863. Resigned June 22, 1863. Address, Indian- 
ola. Neb. 

Russell Tuornbltrgh. Enrolled Aug., 1862. Elected 
Lieutenant Company K. Promoted to Major Aug. 5, 1863. 
Wounded in right arm at Dandridge, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863. 
Was the ranking officer left on the muster-out of the regi- 
ment, and commanded the recruits until the final muster-out 
in June, 1865. Died in 1899. 

H. C. Flagg. Enrolled April i, 1862. Elected Captain 
Company E at its organization. Promoted to Major Aug. 6, 
1863. Address, Whitesburg, Tenn. 

Burton Smith. Enrolled Aug. i, 1862. Elected Cap- 
tain Company K at its organization. Promoted to Major 
Sept. 22, 1864. Died at Red Clay, Ga., June 29, 1888. 
Widow's address, Sherman Heights, Tenn. 

surgeons and assistant surgeons. 
P. W. Logan. Appointed Surgeon by Colonel Johnson 
April, 1862. Resigned Dec. 29, 1862. Address, Milledge- 
ville, Ky. 

First Assistant A. J. Taylor. Enrolled 1862. Re- 
signed, date unknown. Died in 1902. 

Second Assistant Jno. T. Jones. Enrolled Nov. i, 
1862. Appointed First Assistant Surgeon on resignation of 
Taylor ; Surgeon, on resignation of Dr. Logan. Died at 
Nashville, Tenn., 1885. 

Second Assistant Jas. H. Jones. Enrolled Nov i, 

1862. Appointed Second Assistant Surgeon on resignation 
of John S. Jones. Resigned June 22, 1863. Address, New 
Albany, Ind. 

W. F. Green. Enrolled Aug. 15, 1863. Elected Sur- 
geon in Sept., 1863. Business address, No. 3 Noel Block, 
Nashville, Tenn. 

First Assistant John L. Reed. Enrolled March 30, 

1863. Appointed First Assistant Surgeon in 1863. Died 
at Content, Texas, date unknown. 



2i2 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

Second Assistant \\'. T. Rankin. Enrolled Xov. i, 
1862. Appointed Second Assistant Surgeon Xov.. 1863. 
Resigned on account of ill health Feb. 18. 1865. Died at his 
home in Jefferson County, Tenn.. date luiknown. 

CHAPLAIN. 

John P. Holtsinger. Enrolled Aug., 1862. Elected 
by the officers of the regiment and mustered as Chaplain, 
with rank of Captain. He was the first Chaplain of the regi- 
ment and held that position until final muster-out. He was 
a Cumberland Presbvterian minister, and was from Greene- 
ville, Tenn. A\'as a brave man and a true Christian of the 
highest order — the idol of his men. Died at his home near 
Greeneville, Tenn., Oct. 26, 1875. The survivors of the 
re§;iment have erected a beautiful monument to his memory. 

ADJUTANTS. 

James O. Berry. Enrolled April 15. 1862. See Field 
and Staff. 

John Hall. Enrolled April, 1862. Appointed Adju- 
tant yiay, i8('2. Resigned on account of ill health, date un- 
known. Afterwards joined the navy and was lost at sea ; 
no record of date or place. 

James Bunch. Enrolled 1862. Appointed Adjutant. 
Resigned a sliort time after his appointment ; no record of 
date. 

Chas. H. Bentley. Enrolled Xov. i, 1862. Appointed 
Adjutant Xov. 4, 1862. Resigned July 18, 1863. Died since 
close of war ; date unknown. 

John ]\I. Harris. Enlisted Xov. i, 1862, as private in 
Company C. Appointed Adjutant on the resignation of 
Chas. H. Bentley. \\'as final adjuvant of the regiment, ^^'as 
severely wounded at Rigg's Cross Roads, Tenn., April 16, 
1863. In this engagement he received three wounds. The 
one in the right lung was considered mortal, but with careful 
nursing and a strong constitution he recovered. Address, 
Fountain Citv. Tenn. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 273 

QUARTERMASTERS. 

Ror.ERT Howell. Enrolled April i, 1862, Appointed 
Quartermaster by Colonel Johnson at Flat Lick, Ky., in 
April, 1862. Accidentally killed at Portland, O., by being 
thrown from a buggy as the regiment was on its way to 
Camp Dennison to be mounted ; date unknown. 

John H. James. Enlisted Nov. 6, 1862, as private in 
Company F. Promoted to First Lieutenant and regimental 
Quartermaster, Nov. 7, 1862. Discharged July 25, 1864, to 
accept promotion in the Quartermaster's Department at 
Nashville, Tenn. 

E. D. Fillmore. Enrolled July 26, 1864. Appointed 
Quartermaster to fill the vacancy caused by the discharge of 
Lieutenant James. Address, Au Sable Forks, N. Y. 

commissary. 
L' B. Self. Enlisted July 14, 1862, as private in Com- 
pany L Promoted to Lieutenant and Commissary of Sub- 
sistence Jan. 6, 1863. Severely wounded at Franklin, Tenn., 
Sept. 2, 1864. Address, Bakersfield, Cal. 

sergeant-majors. 
M. C. Williams. Appointed Sergeant-Major in 1862. 
Promoted to vSecond Lieutenant Company G in Nov., 1864. 
See roster of Company G. 

Frank Hybarger. Enlisted Aug. i, 1862, as private in 
Company L Appointed Sergeant-Major to fill place made 
vacant by the promotion of M. C. Williams. Died at his 
home in 1897. 

quartermaster-sergeants. 

Daniel S. Fox. Enlisted March i, 1862, as private in 

Company F. Appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant March, 

1863. Promoted to Second Lieutenant Company B, 1863; 

to First Lieutenant Nov. i, 1864. See roster Company B. 

Geo. Armitage. Enlisted Dec. 8, 1862, as private in 
Company L Appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant to fill place 



274 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 

made vacant by the promotion of D. S. Fox. Address, 
Albany, Tenn. 

HOSPITAL STEWARDS. 

Oliver O'Neal. Enlisted April 15, 1862, as private in 
Company D. Appointed Hospital Steward Nov. i, i852. 
Address, Bybee, Tenn. 

S. H. Hendrix. Enlisted Nov. i, 1862, as private in 
Company L. Appointed Hospital Steward Aug. 4, i8'')3. 
Captured on the McCook raid, July 31, 1864. Confined in 
nearly all of the Southern prisons; exchanged the following 
spring. Address, Watauga, Tenn. 

ASSISTANT COMMISSARY SERGEANT. 

W. F. Self. Enlisted Dec. i, 1862, as private in Com- 
pany I. Appointed Assistant Commissary Sergeant; no 
record of date. Address, Greeneville, Tenn. 

CHIEF BUGLER. 

Julias E. Thomas. Enlisted March i, 1862, as private 
in Company F. Appointed Chief Bugler Nov. i, 1862. 

Address, Stratford, Conn. 

SADDLE SERGEANTS. 

W. P. LiFORD. Enlisted July 29, 1862, as private in 
Company G. Appointed Saddle Sergeant in 1863. Address, 
Stinesville, Ind. 
^ Assistant Jno. S. Stevens. Address. Cleopatra, Ky. 

WAGON master. 

W. J. BiSE. Enlisted April i, 1862, as private in Com- 
pany C. Appointed Wagonmaster Nov. i, 1862. Died at 
Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Oct. 7, 1886. 

postmaster. 
D. A. Brooks. Enlisted April i, 1863, as private in 
Company C. Appointed regimental Postmaster in 1863. 
Address, Smithwood, Tenn. 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



275 



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TENNESSEE VOUJNTEER CAVALRY. 



305 



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306 



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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 



307 



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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



309 






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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



311 



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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



313 



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316 



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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



317 



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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



319 





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320 



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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 



321 



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TENNESSEE VOt^UNTEER CAVALRY. 



323 



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HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



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332 HISTORY OF FIRST REGIMENT 



ROLL OF HONOR. 

NAMES OF ENLISTED MEN WHO DIED IN PRISON. 

The very imperfect manner in which the Southern 
prison records were kept makes it almost impossible to ob- 
tain a correct list of the men belonging to the First Tennes- 
see who were captured and died while m captivity during its 
term of service. The writer has endeavored to secure a cor- 
rect list, and after a careful search believes the following to 
be as complete a list as it is possible to obtain : 

COMPANY A. 

vSamiiel Dudley Andersonville April 

John Tyflc Andersonville June 

COMPANY E. 

Isaac Weir Andersonville July 

John Vansel Belle Isle Nov. 

C. G. Gipson Andersonville July 

COMPANY E. 

E. Smidney Andersonville Aug. 

J. D. Winchester .Andersonville April 

COMPANY F. 
Franklin Parker Danville, Va Dec. 

COMPANY H. 

David Sutton Andersonville Aug. 23. 1864 6,643 

COMPANY I. 

Joshua Coggins Feb. 8, 1865 591 

COMPANY K. 

G. W. Gill Andersonville Sept. 16, 1864 8,946 

COMPANY I,. 

C. G. Montgomery Andersonville Sept. 21, 1864 9>559 

Jacob Colier Andersonville Sept. 23, 1864 

COMP.\NY M. 

J. A. Dodd Andersonville Nov. 22. 1864 12,119 

John Firestone Andersonville Aug. 1 1 , 1864 5,320 







NO. OF 






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1864 


435 


28, 


1864 


4,122 


14. 


1864 


3,297 


12, 


1863 




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1864 


3,887 


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1864 


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4. 


1864 
1863 


12,902 



TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 333 



RECAPITULATION. 

Commissioned officers 82 

Enlisted men 1,370 

CASUALTIES IN THE SERVICE. 

Killed and died of wounds received in battle: 

Commissioned officers 5 

Enlisted men 60 

Died of disease : 

Commissioned officers 3 

Enlisted men 235 

Died in captivity : 

Enlisted men 15 

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps : 

Commissioned officers i 

Enlisted men 12 

Transferred to other organizations by promotion 16 

Deserted : 

Enlisted men '. 56 

Discharged for disability and wounds : 

Commissioned officers i 

Enlisted men 41 

Discharged by special order of General Thomas : 

Enlisted men i 

Resigned : 

Commissioned officers 26 

Killed accidentally : 

Commissioned officers T 

Enlisted men i 

Re-entered the service after resigning : 

Commissioned officers 6 

Committed suicide . 

Enlisted men I 

Lost on the Sultana : 

Enlisted men i 



-334 HISTORY OF riUST REGIMENT 

A word from some of our commanders : 

t.r.TTER OP GKNKRAL D. S. STANLEY. 

Washington, D. C, Sept. 27. 1894. 
A Ik. W. R. Carter: 

My recollections of Colonel James Brovvnlow and his regiment. 
First Tennessee Cavalry, are still very vivid. I first met the regi- 
ment when I took command of the cavalry of the Army of the Cum- 
berland, in November, 1862. The regiment was still somewhat young 
in the service, and perhaps lacking in drill, but I remember their fine 
appearance and the anxiety of men and officers to learn, and their 
eagerness to be always at the front. 

The regiment soon came to be esteemed one of the most reliable 
and best fighting regiments in the cavalry corps. I could cover a 
great deal of paper recounting the gallant fights made by this regi- 
ment, but this you must do. 

I remember now distinctly the gallant fight made by Campbell's 
brigade, to which the First Tennessee Cavalry then belonged, at 
Shelb^'ville, Tenn., the 27th of June. 1863, which resulted in the most 
overwhelming defeat that General Wheeler's cavalry ever suffered 
during the war, and which completely established the superiority of 
our cavalry over the Confederates. 

As to the brave Colonel Brownlow, no one who knew him failed 
to admire him. Expelled by the war from his home and country, 
he was always cheerful, gay and buoyant, always ready to move, 
always ready to charge. As I have indicated before, the officers and 
men of the regiment were worthy of their colonel, and no regiment 
from any State which took a part in that great struggle for the 
existence of the United States deserves a higher tribute in History's 
temple of fame than the First Tennessee Cavalry. 
^ Yours very truly, 

D. S. Stanley. 

Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. 30, 1894. 
W. R Carter, Knoxville, Tenn.: 

Dear Sir: I have just received your letter of the 25th. Nothing 
could give me more pleasure than to say truthfully of your First 
Tennessee Regiment that it never was whipped. 

One of your regiments captured John Morgan, and your colonel, 
Jim Brownlow, on the bank of the Chattahoochee, performed the 
most remarkable feat in either ancient or modern warfare, by swim- 
ming that river at the head of a naked host, and capturing all the 
rebels in their rifie-pits. He brought them in, too ! 



TENNRSSKli: VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 335 

Wh}', God bless your old East Tennessee souls, don't you know 
j'our loyalty and devotion gave us of the North courage to fight, 
when everything looked like the darkness of despair? 

I had two Southern brigades, one of Tennessee and one from 
Kentucky. 1 can't say that their discipline was perfect, but their 
fighting was. Yours very truly, 

Edward M. McCook. 



Gen. J. M. Schofield wrote a letter to Andrew Johnson, 
Governor of Tennessee, in 1864, and asked him to put Col- 
onel Brownlow in command of a brigade. General Schofield 
said: "Colonel Brownlow is energetic, daring and skillful. 
Success with him and his gallant command is the invariable 
rule." 

A friend of the regiment writes as follows : "Colonel 
James P. Brownlow and his regiment, the First Tennessee 
Cavalry, participated in more than fifty battles and skir- 
mishes, and he gained honorable distinction as a cavalry 
commander. He had four horses shot from under him, and 
was severely wounded at Franklin, Tenn., September 2, 
1864." 



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